Leading jockey caught in shocking post-race attack on rival rider
Puerto Rican jockey Irad Ortiz Jr has been hit with a $1000 fine after a shocking post-race attack on rival rider Paco Lopez.
Ortiz was caught on camera walking up to Lopez after a race at Gulfstream Park racecourse in Florida before attacking him.
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Ortiz could be seen throwing a massive left hook and right-hand jab on the unsuspecting Lopez, who recoiled in shock.
Incredibly, Ortiz had won the race that sparked his shocking outburst.
The 28-year-old, who has over 2500 career winners, recorded an 11-length victory on race favourite Known Agenda.
Lopez came second on Top Gun Tommy.
Ortiz was reportedly fuming after Lopez veered out on his mount rounding the bend.
Stewards later hit Ortiz with a $1000 fine but let the race result stand despite a protest from Lopez.
Both jockeys have also been placed on probation.
Leading trainer banned over photo with dead horse
It's been a tumultuous few days in the horse racing world.
Leading trainer Gordon Elliott has been suspended by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board after a photo of him sitting on a dead horse emerged on Saturday.
The photo of Elliott seemingly posing for a photo while sitting on the deceased horse sparked anger and outrage in British racing circles.
Elliott, a three-time Grand National winner, has apologised and confirmed the authenticity of the undated photo that was shared across Twitter.
It shows him sitting on a horse that had just died of a heart attack after a training run.
One of his most high-profile employers, Cheveley Park Stud, said it was "truly horrified" by the image.
Bookmaker Betfair dropped Elliott as an ambassador, saying his actions were not consistent with its "values".
The sentiments were echoed by the body that runs British horseracing in a scathing statement.
"People who work in our industry believe their values - of caring for and respecting our horses - have been deeply undermined by this behaviour," the British Horseracing Authority said.
The BHA said it was "appalled" by the image and imposed a temporary ban on Elliott training horses in British races while the IHRB investigates.
with AAP
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