English jockey Martin Dwyer has been suspended by the Stewards of the Royal Western India Turf Club for seven weeks starting from April 6 to May 31 for not permitting Ice Age to run on merits. Ice Age had cut an erratic course during the race and even bled after the race.

Martin Dwyer, devastated by suspension.

There was violent protest by the public following the loss of Ice Age and the Stewards had declared the horse as a non-starter. The Stewards reportedly did not consider the fact that the horse bled, thereby compromising the performance of the horse and the horse cutting an erratic course. The 56-day suspension effectively works out to about eight months of racing under RWITC rules of racing. With the British season getting into full swing, there is racing all the seven days of the week.

The inquiry to look into the running of Ice Age had generated unprecedented interest with a full house present for the hearing with nine club stewards and two state government nominees including Director General of Police (Anti-Corruption) Raj Khilnani acting as jurors at a meeting held after the last race on Thursday.

Trainer Cooji Katrak who lost about 40 horses following Ice Age’s erratic running, reportedly went against the jockey, accusing him of stopping the horse. His version appeared to be completely in variance from what he had stated in the preliminary enquiry. Ice Age had bled even after its previous run as it had been scoped by one of the leading vets practising at RWITC. This matter has not been enquired into by the Stewards despite records being available to check this fact. How Ice Age was entered to race by the trainer within a short span of time is something that Stewards have not bothered to look into. There was also no reported track work of the horse from its previous run to the controversial one. The horse has run eight times and yet to break the maidens’ ranks.

There is not a single instance of a jockey or trainer being punished in the history of racing in RWITC after the horse had burst a blood vessel during the race. For that matter at any racing centre in India.

The punishment, which is to last till May 31, is subject to appeal and Dwyer has the option of filing a plea against the verdict with the club’s Board of Appeal within 72 hours of receiving an official letter from the stipendiary stewards.

It is learnt that Martin Dwyer will be appealing against the suspension.