Lewes-based racehorse trainer appeals against four-year ban

A Lewes-based racehorse trainer who was banned for four years after being found guilty of breaching the rules regarding the running and riding of two horses has appealed against the decision.
Plumpton racecourse ENGSUS00120120510142445Plumpton racecourse ENGSUS00120120510142445
Plumpton racecourse ENGSUS00120120510142445

Jim Best, who trains at Grandstand Stables in Lewes, was found guilty of instructing Jockey Paul John to deliberately stop two horses during races at Plumpton and Towcester in December last year.

He was handed a four-year ban from the sport and had his licence removed immediately.

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However, Best has since appealed against both the Disciplinary Panel’s findings and the penalty handed to him. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has allowed him to continue racing his horses pending the outcome of the appeal.

Adam Brickell, Director of Integrity, Legal and Risk for the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), said: “An Appeal Board of the British Horseracing Authority granted Jim Best a stay of implementation of the Disciplinary Panel’s decision of April 4 2016.

“This was to allow time for further evidence to be produced in relation to a claim by Mr Best’s representatives that “the hearing was conducted in a way which was substantially unfair and prejudicial to the appellant”.

“The Disciplinary Panel system which the BHA operates has been subject to legal scrutiny in the past and found to be a fair process. However, the BHA fully understands that the perception of fairness, independence and impartiality of its disciplinary process is important, notwithstanding the reality, and is happy to provide further information to the Appeal Board on this matter.

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“The BHA has also undertaken to review the setup of its Disciplinary Panel as part of the recent Integrity Review to address perceptions of fairness.

“While Jim Best’s representatives have raised new issues for the Appeal Board to consider, no new evidence has been provided regarding the substance of the case against Best. It is in everyone’s interest that the appeal is heard as soon as possible and we are doing everything we can to make that happen.”

For more information, click here.

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