Innis slapped with lengthy ban, fine
Published:Thursday | June 13, 2024 | 12:11 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
THE JAMAICA Racing Commission (JRC) has slapped jockey Jerome Innis with the maximum penalty of a 25-race day ban along with a fine of $20,000 by the Jamaica Racing Commission for not taking every step to ensure the best performance of his mount.
Speaking with RJRSports, Antoine Nembhard, chief steward at the JRC, said Innis’ explanation for the circumstances was not satisfactory.
“Based on the explanation that Mr Ennis provided to the stewards, we weren’t satisfied that all the necessary steps were made to ensure that this horse was able to compete under the rules of racing,” said Nembhard.
The infraction took place on June 2 with Innis aboard 3-5 favourite Whisky, trained by Errol Burke and owned by Ainsworth Smith.
The horse finished fourth in the six-horse field, and the JRC observed that throughout the five and a-half furlong race, Innis’ left foot was reportedly out of the stirrup irons for the entire race.
According to Nembhard, if Innis had a problem prior to the start of the race, he should have indicated the issue to the starters on duty.
“He was given the maximum punishment allowed under the rules by the stewards. The rider’s’ responsibility is to take all these necessary steps to ensure that he is prepared once the gate is opened, and in the event that he is not prepared, for reasons outside of his control, then he is to indicate to the starters that he is not yet ready,” said Nembhard.
Innis, ninth in the Jockey’s title race with eight victories this season, will begin his suspension on June 23. He will not be eligible to resume duties until October 20.