Jockey who won weight in champagne on ITV disqualified for breaking whip rules
Megan Jordan celebrated the biggest victory of her career in the Queen Mother's Cup at York on Saturday but was found to have used her whip too many times
A jockey who won her weight in champagne on ITV Racing has been disqualified for breaking the whip rules. The Queen Mother's Cup is one of the most prestigious races in the calendar for female amateur jockeys and a feature of Macmillan Charity Race Day at York.
Past winners include the Princess Royal, who rode Insular to victory on the Knavesmire in 1988. Saturday's renewal was contested by 12 runners ridden by some of the best amateur riders on the circuit.
The race was won by the Ben Brookhouse-trained My Dream World, ridden by Megan Jordan, who held off the late rally of Chillingham, ridden by Becky Smith. As part of the race's tradition the winning rider is presented with her weight in champagne during a weigh-in on the York podium.
During the race Jordan nearly came off when she lost an iron and also managed to catch her whip when it flew out of her hand. She told ITV Racing afterwards: 'It didn't quite go to plan but he's a lovely big horse and that probably helped me stay on. He looked after me when I needed him to.
'I just thought, 'Don't panic', and I was trying to reach down and catch the iron. My stick nearly went at one point but I thought come on and keep going.'
She continued: 'This is a race I've really wanted to win. It's only my second ever ride in it. Ben was very confident about him, he gave me a great feel the other day when I went and sat on him. I am very grateful to the connections.'
However Jordan's ride was referred to the BHA's Whip Review Committee by stewards who ruled she had struck My Dream World four times above the permitted level of six from approaching two furlongs out.
On Tuesday the committee announced: 'Taking into account that none of the uses were clearly and unequivocally for safety purposes, My Dream World was disqualified.
'Miss Jordan will be suspended for 14 days as follows: Friday 04, Saturday 05, Sunday 06, Thursday 10, Wednesday 16, Thursday 17, Tuesday 22, Wednesday 23, Thursday 24, Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 June 2025, Wednesday 06 and Thursday 07 August 2025.'
The decision to refer Jordan was ridiculed by Jim McGrath, the former Channel 4 Racing pundit who works for Sky Sports Racing.
'Fascinating case for BHA's whip review committee re yesterday's York winner, My Dream World,' he said in a post on X.
'Used 9 times or 10 (heavens to murgatroyd!)? Each feeble tap delivered with all the strength of a junior disprin. Welfare issue- you're having a laugh. Come in Mr Bumble.'
Brookhouse said: "We will most likely appeal. We have blown the film up and slowed it down, and there is significant doubt whether one of them connected or not.
"Rules are rules, but they were flicks in the backhand position more than smacks in the forehand.She's a young girl who has had a traumatic experience. She said she hit the front too soon and the horses idled on his fifth or sixth start. I don't blame her."
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