If such a high-profile and experienced jockey can hit a horse in the head and escape without sanction, it does a disservice to the sport beyond just Ireland
When the Irish Turf Club announced on Saturday that the jockey Davy Russell had received only a caution from its disciplinary panel for punching his horse before a race at Tramore earlier this month there was widespread astonishment on racing’s social media and internet forums.
Russell, one of jumping’s most experienced riders, was banned for 14 days last year for being rude to the stewards at Clonmel and got five days for grabbing a fellow jockey’s whip in mid-race in 2014.
Related: Davy Russell faces investigation over claims the jockey struck Kings Dolly
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