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Holland to appeal Derby ban10th May 2009
Darryll Holland has revealed his intention to appeal the 21-day suspension that will prevent him from riding in the Investec Derby on June 6.
Holland felt the wrath of the Warwick stewards on Saturday night for failing to ride out for third place on the Mick Channon-trained Gold Maha.
Holland claimed his mount had gone lame during the race but the stewards did not accept his explanation and imposed a 21-day suspension on the jockey, partly because it was the second time that he had fallen foul of Rule 156 in the last year.
"When we turned into the straight my filly jumped the path and completely lost her action," Holland wrote on Channon's website.
"I didn't know what to do and was caught in two minds. Obviously, if you think a horse is injured in any way you pull it up."
The ban is due to run from May 23 to June 12, meaning Holland will be unavailable to ride Montaff in the Epsom Derby.
"I didn't know what was the right thing to do at the time. You only have a split second to decide and it can cost you five lengths. I immediately reported to the stipe (stipendiary steward) that she'd lost her action," he continued.
"I served my punishment in December, and they've done it on a second offence, but it does seem harsh. The filly was green and inexperienced - it's not as though I was on a seasoned handicapper that knows its job, and she took a while to find her stride again."
Channon added: "The filly jumped a path and Darryll thought she'd gone lame. He was trying to look after the filly in a difficult situation, as he was caught between two rules. I can confirm she's come back lame. To give him 21 days is horrendous.
"For me it's archaic having a footpath so close to the finish anyway."
Darryll Holland - set to miss the 2009 Epsom Derby