Jockey Tom Bellamy suspended from Cheltenham card after failing New Year’s Day alcohol breath test
Rider could now face lengthy ban after testing over the limit following 'a couple of beers' on New Year's Eve
TOM BELLAMY has apologised after a failed alcohol breath test saw him suspended from racing at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.
The jockey – who could now face a lengthy ban – had been due to ride Ballymalin, Qualando and BetVictor Gold Cup winner Splash Of Ginge at the meeting.
Bellamy
Bellamy said: “I hadn't done anything stupid on New Year's Eve – I had two or three drinks and was in bed by midnight. But I didn't eat a thing last night or this morning.
“I'm gutted and want to apologise to everyone and am grateful to Nigel [Twiston-Davies] for supporting me.”
All riders underwent a test on the morning of the raceday - with the alcohol limit for jockeys set at half the threshold for drivers.
An official stewards’ report read: “The sampling officer reported that Tom Bellamy provided a sample which was found to contain alcohol above the threshold level for breath samples.
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“The rider, the clerk of the scales and the sampling officer were interviewed.
“The matter was referred to the head office of the British Horseracing Authority and Bellamy was suspended from riding for the rest of the day.”
Chaser Ballymalin was instead ridden by James Bowen as it came third in the 12.50 Handicap Chase.
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While Tom Humpries took over the reins as Splash Of Ginge was pulled up in the 2pm.
The pair’s trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies said: “He's a big boy, he had a couple of drinks last night and nothing to eat.
“I'm not upset for me. I'm desperately upset for him.”
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Bellamy will now likely be summoned before the BHA’s disciplinary panel.
Stipendiary steward Simon Cowley said: "The reading was sufficiently high that he had to be stood down, and the matter is now referred to London, where an inquiry will be held."
In 2011 jockey Franny Norton was handed a 40-day suspension after failing a test.