Tensions flared at the Cheltenham Festival when amateur jockey Declan Queally accused fellow rider Nico de Boinville of verbal abuse during a live ITV broadcast after the 13:20 Turners Novices' Hurdle on day two. Both jockeys delivered fiery interviews as frustration mounted following a chaotic start to the race.
The trouble began as jockeys scrambled for position, forcing officials to enforce a standing start amid allegations that Ballyfad, ridden by Jack Kennedy, was kicked during the melee. Queally, aboard I’ll Sort That, and De Boinville, riding Act of Innocence, found themselves caught in the middle of the disorder.
Speaking to ITV Sport, Queally claimed, “Being abused by an English rider, Nico de Boinville, not very nice. I am an amateur, coming over here riding in front of my kids. Horrific.” De Boinville fired back after learning of the accusation, saying, “Maybe he (Queally) should look in the mirror.”
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The ITV panel, including racing great Ruby Walsh, analyzed the incident and rider exchanges. Walsh suggested the issue stemmed from the starting procedure, advocating for a rolling start to avoid such chaos. “I think that is the mechanism that is required myself,” he said, highlighting the problems with the current movement behind the start tape.
Legend Sir AP McCoy weighed in prior to the race, acknowledging the difficulties: “It’s not a great look but what do you do? They often say you can’t win a race at the start but you can lose it.”
Post-race, ITV pundit Luke Harvey referenced prior criticism of Cheltenham’s starting practices and noted Nico de Boinville’s comment blaming “Irish jockeys who come over here and don’t know the rules and the amateur riders.”
The race itself concluded with Paul Townend clinching victory aboard King Rasko Grey for trainer Willie Mullins. De Boinville finished second, followed by Zeus Power, Soldier Reeves, with I’ll Sort That and Queally rounding out the top five.