Jockey Cosgrave Banned Six Months

JOCKEY COSGRAVE BANNED SIX MONTHS 
Jockey Pat Cosgrave has been handed a six month ban for improper riding by the Emirates Racing Authority as the result of his ride aboard Anaerobio (Arg) (Catcher in the Rye {Ire}) in the G1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan Mar. 8. 
Cosgrave set a slow pace aboard the Mike de Kock-trained 7-year-old while his stablemate Vercingetorix (SAf) (Silvano {Ger}) sat about 1 1/2 lengths back in second. Cosgrave could be seen looking over his shoulder multiple times approaching the top of the stretch before allowing Anaerobio to come off the fence coming off the turn, allowing Vercingetorix and jockey Christophe Soumillon clear run on their way to a 1 3/4 length win. The penalty has been back-dated to start Mar. 17, and will finish at midnight Sept. 17. 
ERA took evidence from Cosgrave, de Kock and Soumillon in what was a second hearing into the matter, and said in a statement: “Jockey Patrick Cosgrave was found guilty to a charge of improper riding pursuant to ERA 69 (I). The particulars of the charge being that when riding Anaerobio, passing the 600 meters until approaching the 400 meters, Cosgrave looked back to his inside on at least three occasions and at the turn into the home straight he intentionally allowed his mount to shift out approximately three horses, thereby allowing stablemate Vercingetorix a clear inside run. In considering penalty the stewards were cognizant of the following: the seriousness of the charge; the blatant breach of Rule 69 (i) in relation to improper riding; the detrimental image to racing as a result of this matter the Jebel Hatta was a Group 1 race with prize-money of $300,000; Cosgrave’s personal circumstances. There was no evidence to implicate either Soumillon or De Kock in relation to Cosgrave’s charge and therefore no action was taken against those persons.” 
Paul Struthers, Chief Executive of the Professional Jockeys Association, confirmed the organization was in discussion with Cosgrave, tweeting: “I can confirm that @PJAOfficial is in contact with Pat Cosgrave and will advise/take advice on a possible appeal.” 
Robin Mounsey, spokesman for the British Horseracing Authority, noted that the ban could stand in Britain. 
“We are aware of the reports regarding the suspension imposed upon Pat Cosgrave,” Mounsey told PA Sport. “Should the ERA request that BHA reciprocate any suspension then we would do so, as is required under our rules. An application can be made to BHA for this penalty not to be reciprocated, but no application can be submitted and considered by the disciplinary panel until Cosgrave has exhausted the appeal procedures in Dubai.”