I'm happy for Callum Shepherd - but this week's appeal verdict raises big questions over racing's rules
How much did the BHA want to repel Callum Shepherd's appeal this week? Quite a bit, I would say, judging from the fact they hired the barrister Louis Weston to present their case.
I claim no expertise in legal matters, but I can recognise a big gun when one is wheeled on to the battlefield. Weston has spent 30 years in his line of work and is very successful, having won awards in the arena of sports law.
The BHA has usually tended to be quite well supplied with lawyers and I was expecting to see its excellent Charlotte Davison articulating the reasons why the ruling of the Kempton stewards should be allowed to stand. Perhaps she's on holiday. Even lawyers need to grab a bit of sun before jump racing takes over again.
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Published on inChris Cook
Last updated
Copy- Dear stewards, we need your help. When a horse disappoints, can you please make sure to ask why?
- I was forced into a frank conversation after the death of poor Cuthbert Dibble - it's one all of racing needs to have
- The jumps is back - and doctors need to be briefed that it's still the greatest sport there is
- More changes to the Grand National? Are you kidding me?
- Cheltenham Festival tweaks won't make anywhere near enough difference if we refuse to tackle the elephant in the room
- Dear stewards, we need your help. When a horse disappoints, can you please make sure to ask why?
- I was forced into a frank conversation after the death of poor Cuthbert Dibble - it's one all of racing needs to have
- The jumps is back - and doctors need to be briefed that it's still the greatest sport there is
- More changes to the Grand National? Are you kidding me?
- Cheltenham Festival tweaks won't make anywhere near enough difference if we refuse to tackle the elephant in the room