Royal Ascot jockey banned and given significant fine after winning biggest race of his life

Wales Online

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Royal Ascot jockey banned and given significant fine after winning biggest race of his life
Gary Carroll was recently hit with a ban and fine by the British Horseracing Authority's Whip Review Committee after his win on Cercene in the Coronation Stakes
Gary Carroll has been handed a 14-day ban
(Image: Alan Crowhurst, Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse )
Leading jockey Gary Carroll, who recently rode Cercene to a shock 33-1 victory in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, is set to miss a key upcoming race.
Carroll secured his first-ever Group 1 win as Cercene triumphed in the top-level 1m contest for three year old fillies, upsetting the heavily favoured Zarigana. This remarkable win also marked a milestone for Co Tipperary-based trainer Joseph G Murphy, as it was his first Group 1 win in 50 years of holding a licence, fulfilling a lifelong ambition.
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Following the win, Carroll said: "This is unbelievable. I have been riding a long time now and been placed in plenty of Group One races.
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"This is my first one and, if I was ever to ride a Group One winner, I wanted it to be for Joe Murphy. I have been riding for him since I was a 7lb claimer and he has been very good to me. I am delighted I can repay him.
"Cercene ran a blinder at the Curragh, where the slow pace didn't suit. We went a bit better gallop there today. She got to the front a furlong and a half out and she waited. Then the French horse came and headed me.
"To be fair to this one, she is not big, but she is very tough and stuck her head out for me. This is hugely satisfying. Group One races are so hard to come by, and good horses are very hard to come by. To do this at Royal Ascot is magic."
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Jockey Carroll was a surprise victor aboard Cercene
(Image: PA )
Since Cercene's triumph, Murphy has set out an ambitious plan for the filly, eyeing up a spot in the £426,000 Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh, reports the Mirror. The Breeders' Cup is also potentially on her agenda towards the year's end.
Yet, unless he wins an appeal, Carroll will miss the Irish Oaks on July 19 due to a whip ban incurred. He was summoned before the BHA's Whip Review Committee following his ride in the Coronation Stakes, where the panel handed down both a suspension and a fine to Carroll.
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Cercene (left) battled back to defeat favourite Zarigana
(Image: Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse )
The Committee's findings read: "Gary Carroll, the rider of the winner Cercene (IRE), was found to have used his whip twice above the permitted level of six from approximately two furlongs out.
"Taking into account that this was a Class 1 race, the penalty in respect of the above permitted level was doubled. Therefore, he will be suspended for 14 days from Tuesday 08 – Monday 21 July 2025, inclusive and fined £5,800."