Billy Loughnane in the royal blue of Godolphin

Billy Loughnane ban reduced to 14 days after BHA review 'further evidence'

By Sporting Life

Horse Racing

Thu April 02, 2026 · 3h ago

Billy Loughnane has had the 21-day ban he picked up at Southwell last Thursday reduced to 14 days.

Well fancied for the Flat Jockeys' Championship, Loughnane was punished by the Stewards after he rode his mount Beelzebub back from the start after it had been withdrawn from the Midnite: Built For 2026 Not 2006 Handicap on account of being kicked.

The horse's trainer David Loughnane (no relation) said the ban was "mind blowing" and that if there was evidence of injury, it was an old scar tissue wound which the horse had since he arrived in the yard.

It has since been established that the 20-year-old rider did not hear the instruction from the vet at the start of the race and therefore his penalty has been reduced.

A BHA spokesperson said: "Having obtained further evidence from parties present at the start of Race 7, the Midnite: Built For 2026 Not 2006 Handicap at Southwell on 26 March 2026, and reviewed this alongside the evidence given to the Stewards on the day, the BHA can confirm that a decision has been taken to reduce the penalty imposed on Billy Loughnane for breaching Rule (J)20 to a suspension of 14 days. This has been accepted by Mr Loughnane and as such, an appeal hearing is no longer necessary.

“It has been established that an instruction given by the Veterinary Surgeon at the start was not heard by Mr Loughnane. As such, he was unaware of the instruction given not to ride BEELZEBUB (IRE) back and therefore cannot be said to have ignored it.

“However, while Mr Loughnane was of the belief that he was able to ride the horse back to the unsaddling area, he accepts that the horse was withdrawn as a result of the vet finding that the horse was lame upon being withdrawn on veterinary advice, having been assessed and trotted by the vet after having received a kick. He was therefore correctly found in breach of Rule (J)20 as he should not have ridden the horse back."

Loughnane's suspension will run from April 9 to April 23.

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