Jockey Robert Havlin, whose initial appeal against a six-month ban imposed by France Galop for a positive drug test was dismissed on Thursday, has lodged a further appeal. France Galop last month said Havlin returned a positive sample when riding at Saint-Cloud on Oct. 30, and said it would request the British Horseracing Authority reciprocate the ban.
Havlin said at the time he was “deeply upset and shocked” by the suspension and that he fully expected to clear his name following what he described as an “outrageous miscarriage of justice and defamation of my character.”
Professional Jockeys Association Chief Executive Paul Struthers said if Havlin loses the second appeal, he will exercise his right to ask the BHA to not reciprocate the ban. Struthers said, “To say Rab is disappointed by the outcome is an understatement. He fiercely maintains his innocence and will continue to fight to prove this. There is one further stage of appeal with France Galop which will be lodged today. In the event that appeal fails, we will definitely be lodging an application with the BHA on Rab's behalf for the penalty not to be reciprocated.”
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