Nico de Boinville has been officially cleared by British Horseracing Authority (BHA) stewards of any racist abuse directed at Irish amateur jockey Declan Queally during an incident at the Cheltenham Festival last week.
The altercation occurred prior to the Turners Novices' Hurdle on day two of the festival, a day marked by multiple false starts. De Boinville, riding Act Of Innocence who finished second, and Queally, aboard I’ll Sort That, were competing for similar inside positions at the start. Tensions flared as riders jockeyed for position amidst delays.
Following the race, Queally told ITV Racing that he had been subjected to racist abuse by De Boinville and filed a formal complaint with the stewards. An inquiry was promptly launched but adjourned to gather further evidence.
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Both jockeys publicly appeared together the next day, facilitated by former jockey Davy Russell, where they shook hands and expressed their desire to move past the incident. Nevertheless, the formal investigation proceeded.
The stewards reviewed comprehensive evidence including video footage, audio recordings from the start, and testimonies from the race starter, nearby jockeys, and an independent official stationed near the starter’s rostrum.
After careful consideration, the stewards found no evidence supporting the allegation of racist language. While frustration was evident among several riders due to the repeated false starts and jockeys' reluctance to position themselves behind the marker poles, there was no corroborative audio or witness testimony indicating racist remarks by De Boinville.
The official stewards' report stated: “Strong language was used by De Boinville directed at Mr Queally, a reflection of the heightened emotions in a competitive setting. However, there was no evidence to confirm that this language was of a racist nature.”
Despite clearing De Boinville of the racist abuse claim, the stewards reminded him about his professional obligations. They emphasized the importance of maintaining appropriate conduct, especially during high-pressure moments at major racing events.
In conclusion, the stewards acknowledged the verbal altercation but overturned the formal complaint of racism. De Boinville was encouraged to uphold professional standards in future races to preserve the integrity of the sport.