Gary Stevens must serve suspension

Gary Stevens has lost his appeal against the 20 day suspension imposed on him for refusing to ride Sopran Foldan in the Group 3 Premio Tudini at the Capannelle on May 30.

The disciplinary committee of UNIRE (the Italian equivalent of the BHB) heard the appeal on Monday (September 27) and decided to uphold both the ban and the 1500 euro fine handed down by the Capannelle stewards on race day.

The suspension will come into force today, Thursday September 30, and Stevens will not be able to return to the saddle until October 20. Stevens is currently riding at Santa Anita in Los Angeles and has five booked rides there today.