Jim Crowley claimed he was victim of “unprovoked attack” involving piece of lead from Raul da Silva after first race at Goodwood
Crowley says he was attacked with what "felt like a piece of lead"
JOCKEY Jim Crowley has hit back at comments made by Raul da Silva to the Racing Post that he was aggressive after an incident at Goodwood on Sunday.
Crowley, who went to hospital after the weighing room incident, has claimed he was the victim of an “unprovoked attack” from behind that “felt like a piece of lead.”
Da Silva has been handed a 21 day ban since the incident after the opening race at Goodwood on Sunday and Crowley believes this shows who is to blame.
Crowley said: “There was a minor disagreement over a race-riding incident with a number of jockeys not happy with Raul’s riding.
“After this, I was the victim of an unprovoked attack from behind with what felt like a piece of lead, and it is disappointing that I have then been accused of being the aggressor.
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“This is categorically untrue and it is notable that after a lengthy inquiry that heard from many witnesses, only one of us was suspended.
“I have no further comment to make and will leave the matter in the hands of the BHA (British Horseracing Authority).”
Da Silva had been due to ride Voltaic at Windsor on Monday, but he was substituted for Rab Havlin earlier in the day.
Twenty-one days is the BHA’s maximum recommended suspension for violent conduct, but racing’s rulers said on Monday that it has “the ability to reopen such cases, if it is felt necessary”.
A statement issued by the BHA read: “Before assessing whether such action is required the BHA would first review the stewards’ inquiry recordings and hold conversations with any appropriate individuals.
“The BHA will now carry out these procedures before determining how to proceed.”