RSPCA calls Davy Russell punching of horse ‘totally unacceptable’

The controversy over Davy Russell’s punch to his mount Kings Dolly before a race at Tramore nearly a fortnight ago continued on Tuesday when David Muir, the RSPCA’s experienced equine consultant, added his voice to widespread criticism of the Irish Turf Club for its failure either to fine or to suspend Russell over the incident.

Russell left a disciplinary hearing on Saturday with nothing more than a caution over the punch, which occurred when Kings Dolly ran freely towards a “show” hurdle and then stopped abruptly, momentarily upsetting Russell’s balance in the saddle. Video footage of the incident has circulated widely on social media, attracting tens of thousands of “views” on Twitter alone. Rather than putting the controversy to bed, the Turf Club’s decision to apply no meaningful sanction to Russell seems to have kept the issue alive. The disciplinary panel had no obvious precedent to draw on when setting a penalty but two cases of horses being struck by riders in Britain in 2012 and 2014, involving Kieren Fallon and Sean Levy, attracted five-day bans and Muir believes a similar case in Britain today would probably incur a stiffer penalty again.

“I was thinking how much things have changed,” Muir, a staunch advocate for horse welfare on racing issues including the Grand National and misuse of the whip, said on Tuesday. “Perception as well as someone’s action is important now and this would make a lot of people unhappy.

“He’s a very experienced jockey, this was completely out of character and I’m sure he’ll never do it again, but he did something that’s totally unacceptable. The Turf Club dealt with it and came up with a caution but I think in these circumstances that sends the wrong signal to other jockeys and also to the public.”

The official account of the hearing said Russell accepted his action was “inappropriate” but also that he had punched the horse to “make her concentrate” while the jockey suggested in a subsequent interview on At The Races that he had also considered using his whip or jerking the reins.

“I think at the bottom of his heart he knew what he’d done and he was being careful about what he said,” Muir said.

“In both the incidents in Britain the penalty was five days, which is taking the matter a bit more seriously. Punching or hitting horses on the neck is not conducive to animal welfare. The animals are out there risking life and limb and they deserve respect. The last thing we need is someone losing their temper.”

Aidan O’Brien is responsible for half of the remaining 24 possible runners in the William Hill St Leger at Doncaster on 16 September after the latest declaration stage on Tuesday.

Nine and seven runners have gone to to post for the final Classic in each of the last two seasons, and the eventual size of O’Brien’s team for the Leger could well determine whether the first renewal of the race with its new sponsor manages to attract a double-figure field.

Capri, the Irish Derby winner and current joint ante-post favourite, is the probable leader of O’Brien’s challenge, but Venice Beach, a 20-1 chance, is the next horse in the list from the champion trainer’s Ballydoyle stable. Sir Michael Stoute’s Crystal Ocean, who sits alongside Capri in the betting at 4-1, leads a strong challenge from Newmarket, which could also include Stradivarius and Coronet, from the John Gosden stable, and Roger Varian’s Defoe.

The Godolphin operation also has several possible runners still in the race, including Royal Ascot-winner Benbatl, who was the first three-year-old colt home behind the outstanding winner Enable in the King George at Ascot.

Wednesday’s tips, by Greg Wood

Catterick Bridge 1.50 Cool Spirit 2.20 Eponina 2.50 Question Of Faith 3.20 Magical Effect 3.50 Melaniemillie 4.20 Bop It 4.50 Fire Leopard 5.20 Caesar’s Comet

Lingfield 1.40 Malcolm The Pug 2.10 Gavota 2.40 Teppal 3.10 Rock On Bertie 3.40 Under The Covers 4.10 De Vegas Kid 4.40 Ban Shoof 5.10 Wassail

Musselburgh 2.00 Three Saints Bay 2.30 Relight My Fire 3.00 Sakhalin Star 3.30 Bogart (nb) 4.00 Alnasl 4.30 Kalann 5.00 Suwaan

Worcester 4.35 Washed Ashore 5.05 Gentleman Jon 5.35 Sam Noir 6.05 The Raven Master 6.35 Shanksforamillion 7.05 Amadoue 7.35 Over The Air

Kempton Park 5.55 Voicemail 6.25 Mudallel (nap) 6.55 Delayla 7.25 Miss Liguria 7.55 Atkinson Grimshaw 8.25 Percy’s Word 8.55 See You Mush