Christophe Soumillon - banned for eight days
Christophe Soumillon - banned for eight days

Christophe Soumillon and Ryan Moore both pick up bans after St James's Palace


Christophe Soumillon and Ryan Moore both picked up riding bans after the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The former rode pacemaker Puerto Rico and was handed an eight-day suspension for "riding his mount in such a way that intended to give an advantage to another horse from the same stable".

The stewards report read: "An enquiry was held to consider whether C Soumillon, the rider of PUERTO RICO (IRE), unplaced, rode in a manner to benefit GSTAAD, placed second, ridden by Ryan Moore, and in doing so caused minimal interference to POWER BLUE (IRE), placed fourth, ridden by David Egan. Soumillon, Moore and Egan were interviewed and shown recordings of the incident, and Aidan O’Brien, the trainer of PUERTO RICO (IRE) and GSTAAD, was interviewed via telephone. Soumillon was suspended for 8 days for riding his mount in such a way that intended to give an advantage to another horse from the same stable, in that he moved his mount away from the rail thereby ensuring a clear run for GSTAAD on his inside."

And Ryan Moore picked-up a three-day careless riding ban for his ride on the stable first string, Gstaad, who was touched off by Bow Echo in a pulsating finish, the incident occurring shortly after the start.

He was punished for "allowing his mount to edge left-handed without correction, causing Bow Echo, Talk Of New York and Puerto Rico to become short of room for a number of strides when awkwardly placed between Gstaad and Power Blue on the far outside."


Royal Ascot 2026

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org

Like what you've read?

Next Off

Follow & Track
Image of a horse race faded in a gold gradientYour favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My Stable
Log in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefitsWhite Chevron
Sporting Life Plus Logo

Most Followed

MOST READ RACING