Racing: Frankie Dettori has received a 14-day suspension by a disciplinary panel of the Horseracing Regulatory Authority for his use of the whip aboard Ramonti in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The Italian will be out of action between July 13th-26th which rules him out of the Darley July Cup next week, but crucially allows him to partner Authorized in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes later in the month.
Ascot's stewards referred the matter to HRA following Dettori's winning performance as they considered the offence warranted a punishment more severe than the maximum seven days they could impose.
The Derby-winning jockey struck his mount 25 times inside the final two and a half furlongs of the race, with a high percentage of his strikes coming inside the distance of the mile contest.
Dettori admitted he was in breach of the rules of racing in that he had hit Ramonti with excessive frequency without giving him time to respond.
During the hearing, Dettori said his mount was "an experienced older horse who did continue to respond to the use of the whip during the race".
The Godolphin vet said in a letter to the HRA the horse "returned to the stable in good condition" and had ate up, walked and jogged the following day.
The panel accepted Dettori's admission that he was in breach and suspended him for the 14-day period.