Jockey Maxime Tissier given nine-month ban after admitting to placing race bets

Maxime Tissier has been prevented from reapplying for his jockeys' licence for nine months after admitting to placing 15 bets on horse racing in a Newmarket betting shop in November 2019.

But the French-born rider has not been disqualified from working in the sport after submissions from both his defence and the BHA counsel confirmed that the bets did not raise a fundamental issue of integrity.

An independent disciplinary panel hearing on Thursday heard that Tissier mistakenly believed British rules did not prevent him from betting on races in which neither he nor his employer Lucy Wadham were involved.

He made no attempt to hide his activity and wore riding gear when walking into the William Hill shop, where he was eventually recognised after his picture appeared in the Racing Post.

Rory Mac Neice, representing Tissier, argued that his case resembled that of Hayley Turner, who continued to use an online account she had opened after her first retirement from the saddle for small recreational bets.

Trainer Lucy Wadham attested to the character and professionalism of Maxime TissierCredit: Getty Images

The panel also heard that Tissier had closed his own online account when advised to by a colleague but had placed £1,205 worth of bets in the William Hill shop ranging between £20 and £170 and had lost £591 during the period in November 2019.

Tissier voluntarily relinquished his licence in anticipation of the disciplinary process and the sanction prevents him for reapplying for nine months, though crucially he can remain employed in racing during that time.

Mac Neice pointed to Tissier's difficulty with English as a contributing factor to his lack of understanding of rules on jockeys betting on racing, though he conceded such ground would have been covered during the BHA modules associated with application for his conditional licence.

Another case referred to by both sides during the hearing was that of Ryan Winks, who was disqualified for 21 months after placing nearly 800 bets online, a total which included backing his own rides on occasion.

In delivering the verdict panel chair Brian Barker said: "We agree with Mr Mac Neice's submission that this should not be a disqualification case and therefore we approach it at the lesser level. We note in particular that there are no integrity issues to this matter. We are particularly impressed by the testimonial Mrs Wadham gave."

The nine-month ban dates from November 27, the date on which Tissier relinquished his licence.

Tissier has a total of 22 wins from 140 rides in Britain for a fine strike rate of 16 per cent, though has only scored once in 17 starts during the current curtailed campaign.

Read more from recent BHA inquiries:

'I felt pretty intimidated' – Hollie Doyle complains about treatment by stewards

Aidan O'Brien fined £4,000 for 'million to one' mix-up over Fillies' Mile horses

Apprentice jockey loses appeal against suspension for 'serious misjudgement'

'Crazy' – Warren Greatrex hits out at non-trier insinuation as he wins appeal

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