An Irish amateur rider has accused top British jockey Nico de Boinville of directing a racially offensive comment towards him during an incident at Cheltenham on Wednesday. Declan Queally and de Boinville, who is the stable jockey for Nicky Henderson, engaged in a heated argument during a tumultuous start to the Turners Novices’ Hurdle, the first race on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Tensions escalated as the riders vied for position among the 21-horse field, resulting in the starter calling two false starts before the race finally commenced. De Boinville went on to clinch second place on Act Of Innocence, trailing behind the Willie Mullins-trained winner King Rasko Grey, while Queally finished fifth aboard I’ll Sort That, trained by his family.
Following the race, Queally expressed his displeasure to ITV Racing, stating, “The start was chaotic. Being subjected to abuse by English rider Nico de Boinville is unacceptable. I am an amateur rider who came here to compete in front of my children, and such behavior is appalling.” De Boinville retorted, “Perhaps he should reflect on his own actions.”
During a subsequent stewards’ inquiry, it was reported that Jack Kennedy, Queally, Danny Gilligan, and Darragh O’Keeffe had failed to approach the starting tape properly, causing the false starts. Kennedy and Queally were each suspended for a day due to misconduct at the start, while Gilligan and O’Keefe received two-day suspensions for their repeated offense.
Queally lodged a complaint concerning the start incident, alleging that de Boinville had verbally abused him in front of the ITV camera. Queally later revealed to Mirror Racing, “The abusive comment was racially charged. I have reported it, and the British Horseracing Authority stewards are addressing the matter.” De Boinville declined to provide a response when contacted.
The stewards’ notice stated, “Having heard the initial testimonies from Queally and Nico de Boinville, the stewards have postponed the case to gather additional evidence.”
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