Whip use earns Dettori 14-day ban

Dettori admitted breaching the rules on excessive whipping

Jockey Frankie Dettori has been given a 14-day suspension for his use of the whip when winning the Queen Anne Stakes on Ramonti at Royal Ascot.

The Italian will be sidelined from 13-26 July, which means he will miss the July Cup at Newmarket next week.

However, he will be free to ride Derby winner Authorized in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot on 28 July.

Dettori struck Ramonti 25 times inside the final 2½ furlongs at Royal Ascot.

Ascot stewards referred the matter to the Horseracing Regulatory Authority as they considered the offence warranted a punishment more severe than the maximum seven days they could impose.

The Derby-winning rider admitted he was in breach of the rules of racing in that he had hit the Godolphin-trained Ramonti with excessive frequency without giving him time to respond.

Dettori apologised for the incident during a hearing convened by an HRA disciplinary panel but added that his mount was "an experienced older horse who did continue to respond to the use of the whip during the race".

The Godolphin vet said in a letter to the HRA the horse "returned to the stable in good condition" and had eaten up, walked and jogged the following day.

Andrew Chalk, who legally represented Dettori on behalf of the Jockeys' Association, added that while he had yet to discuss the matter with the rider, an appeal is unlikely.