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Billy Loughnane hit with 21-day ban after Southwell incident
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Thu 26 Mar 2026
Billy Loughnane was handed a 21-day ban for improper riding after the stewards ruled he acted against the instructions of the vet at Southwell on Thursday evening.
In an incident at the start of the final race on the card the 20-year-old’s mount, David Loughnane’s Beelzebub, received a kick and was subsequently withdrawn by the vets having been deemed to be lame.
The jockey, who broke Kieren Fallon’s 21st century record for winners in a calendar year in 2025, proceeded to ride the six-year-old back from the start, with an inquiry then held by the stewards.
The stewards found Loughnane to have acted against the instructions of the vet by riding his mount back, issuing a 21-day ban which will see the leading rider sit out April 9 to April 30 and miss key dates such as Newmarket’s three-day Craven meeting and the Greenham at Newbury.
Loughnane will return on May 1 which is the first day of the Guineas meeting and also the day Ascot will host their Royal meeting’s trials day.
The stewards report read: “Billy Loughnane the rider of Beelzebub, had ridden his mount back from the start after the gelding had been withdrawn by the Veterinary Surgeon, as it was found to be lame due to being kicked at the start.
“The rider, the BHA Veterinary Officer and the Racecourse Veterinary Surgeon were interviewed. Loughnane was suspended for 21 days for improper riding in that in riding his mount back, he had acted against the instructions of the Veterinary Surgeon”.
Beelzebub's trainer Dave Loughnane, above, said the decision to withdraw the horse as "mind-boggling".
He told the Racing Post: "I wasn't at the races but from what I've been told another horse reversed into our horse. The vets trotted him up and said they weren't happy because of the graze on his leg and withdrew him.
"But the graze they're talking about on his leg has been on his leg since he arrived at my yard. The horse trotted up sound twice under Billy and no-one told Billy not to ride the horse back, so he cantered him home absolutely sound.
"I'll be getting a vet out first thing tomorrow morning to do a full report on the horse because it's absolutely mind-boggling. If that's the way our sport is going we're in serious trouble.
"We're all in the sport for the same reason – we love horses and our priority is horse welfare – but there has to be a bit of common sense come into play with the BHA.
"My team at the races trotted him up in front of the owners and again back in the stable yard and the horse is 100 per cent sound. There's absolutely nothing wrong with him."
He added: "We'll do everything in our power to assist Billy in any possible appeal because it's ridiculous in my opinion."
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