Aidan O'Brien's key jockey, Wayne Lordan, will be absent from major races involving his horses, as his plea against a ten-day whip ban has been rejected.
Christophe Soumillon Steps Up for Ballydoyle as Wayne Lordan Receives Ten-Day Ban
Christophe Soumillon will take on a more significant role for Ballydoyle in the coming months, following Ryan Moore's leg injury and the suspension of Wayne Lordan.
Lordan has been handed a ten-day ban, which begins on September 9, after the whip review committee issued a suspension following three instances of using the whip in the incorrect place on Precise. The ban was upheld by an independent disciplinary panel after Lordan admitted to one breach of rule (F)45.
The panel found "clear evidence of use of the whip in the incorrect place" in the sixth strike on Precise, and deemed two additional uses of the whip in the final furlong also breached the rules. The panel concluded that Lordan's body movement showed an incorrect placement of the whip.
As a result of the ban, Soumillon will take over the ride on Scandinavia, the favourite for the St Leger, with Lordan's suspension preventing him from riding at Doncaster. Ballydoyle's other potential runner in the St Leger, Lambourn, is also expected to run at Doncaster.
Meanwhile, Soumillon will be busy in France, where he will ride Los Angeles in the Prix Foy, Henri Matisse in the Prix du Moulin, Whirl in the Prix Vermeille, and Swagman in the Prix Niel for O'Brien at Longchamp on Sunday.
Ryan Moore, who was set to miss the rest of the Flat season due to a fractured femur, will be sidelined for the duration of Lordan's suspension. The Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown and the opening day of the festival clash with the St Leger, and Moore's absence will be felt by Ballydoyle.
Aidan O'Brien, however, will still have strong contenders in Ireland, with Delacroix, the Irish Champion Stakes favourite, set to run for O'Brien at Leopardstown. Royal Bahrain, another Irish Champion Stakes favourite, will also run for O'Brien at the Irish Champions Festival.
The ban issued to Lordan is the result of an appeal dismissal against a ten-day suspension for incorrect use of the whip. Free bet offers are available for those looking to place a wager on the St Leger and other races on the Racing Post website.
