Incident Overview at Cheltenham Festival
Nico de Boinville finished second riding Act of Innocence at the Cheltenham Festival. He has "categorically" denied allegations of using "racial slurs" against Irish jockey Declan Queally during the opening race on day two of the event.
The English jockey faced accusations of "abusing" the amateur jockey prior to the start of the Novices' Hurdle on Wednesday, which experienced delays due to a false start.
Declan Queally later informed The Racing Post that he had received "repeated racist abuse" from de Boinville.
Both jockeys, Queally on I'll Sort That and De Boinville on Act Of Innocence, were seen exchanging words at the starting line; however, de Boinville denies any misconduct.
Statements from De Boinville and Queally
De Boinville spoke to BBC Radio Sports Extra regarding the ongoing investigation:
"It is an ongoing investigation. The stewards are gathering all the evidence they can from all the video footage. From my point of view, I deny all the allegations against me. I can categorically say there weren't any racial slurs or anything like that. Let's let it play out."
Queally, aged 37, appeared to fall from his horse before the race commenced and was examined by a doctor. He was cleared to participate, alongside Ballyfad, who was kicked prior to the race and assessed by a veterinarian amid a chaotic few minutes.
The race experienced multiple false starts during the planned rolling start, which led to the horses lining up for a standing start at the tape. This change resulted in jockeys competing aggressively for position.
Queally, who finished fifth, told ITV Racing before entering the weight room post-race:
"Being abused by an English rider, Nico de Boinville, not very nice. I am an amateur, coming over here and riding in front of my kids. Horrific."
When informed of Queally's remarks about the challenging start, De Boinville responded:
"Maybe he should look in the mirror."
Reactions from Industry Figures
Legendary jockey AP McCoy expressed support for Queally, stating he has "as much right to be there as anyone." Meanwhile, Ruby Walsh criticized the starting system:
"It's 2026. How has nobody devised a tape that rolls in front of the horses? The tape should have been in front of them when they went onto the track and it should be moved in front of the horses. We can send missiles after fighter planes in the gulf but nobody can design a rolling flyaway tape."
British Horseracing Authority Statement and Ongoing Process
contacted the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) for comment on the investigation. The BHA stated:
"The process of gathering evidence will continue over the course of the coming days and will involve speaking to jockeys and reviewing broadcast footage. This process will take some time and will therefore not be concluded during the Festival."
Meanwhile, De Boinville remains eligible to continue riding and is scheduled to compete on Impose Toi in the Stayers' Hurdle and on the well-fancied Jonbon in the Ryanair Chase.
Declan Queally, however, received a one-day suspension for misconduct at the start of the race. He was one of four jockeys found to have breached the rules.
