Why was James McDonald suspended and fined?

James McDonald was suspended for 10 days and fined $20,000 for excessive whip use during the Inglis Millennium race at Royal Randwick.

How many times did James McDonald strike his horse?

James McDonald admitted to striking his winning mount, Fireball, nine times prior to the last 100 meters, which exceeded the permitted limit.

When does James McDonald's suspension begin and end?

James McDonald's suspension begins on Sunday, February 15, and he will return to racing on Wednesday, February 25.

Home / Sports / Jockey McDonald's 10-Day Ban Over Whip Use

Jockey McDonald's 10-Day Ban Over Whip Use

8 Feb

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Summary

James McDonald suspended for 10 days and fined $20,000.
The penalty was for excessive whip use during the Inglis Millennium race.
McDonald's suspension begins February 15 and ends February 25.

Jockey McDonald's 10-Day Ban Over Whip Use

Jockey James McDonald received a 10-day suspension and a $20,000 fine for his excessive use of the whip at Royal Randwick on Saturday. He admitted to striking his winning horse, Fireball, nine times before the last 100 meters, exceeding the permitted number of strikes. This led to a guilty plea and the subsequent penalty.

Stewards cited a previous suspension of jockey Damian Lane as precedent for McDonald's near-identical breach. Lane received a 10-day ban for similar whip overuse but a lesser fine due to the race's smaller purse. McDonald expressed surprise and disappointment at the severity of his penalty, questioning why whip infringements carry heavier sanctions than dangerous riding.

McDonald's suspension will commence on Sunday, February 15, causing him to miss key races. He will be unable to compete in the Hobartville Stakes and Silver Slipper meeting on February 21. He is scheduled to return to racing on Wednesday, February 25. This suspension follows a previous whip infringement during the Melbourne Cup carnival in November 2024.