Racehorse owner fined £10.000

David Reynolds, the racehorse owner who punched Kieren Fallon at Lingfield Park, was banned from all racing premises for three months and fined £10,000 by the British Horseracing Authority today.

Reynolds appeared before a BHA disciplinary panel and was found guilty of bringing racing into disrepute and also of violent conduct against the former champion jockey.

Although the fine is hefty, the three-month ban appears to be rather lenient in the circumstances. A “warning off” of up to three years could have been imposed.

A 45-year-old construction company owner, Reynolds attacked Fallon nine days ago after blaming him for the defeat of The Scorching Wind, the favourite, which Reynolds jointly owns. The incident took place in the unsaddling enclosure.

The Scorching Wind finished ninth. Fallon’s mount Elna Bright had been involved in scrimmaging but the Lingfield stewards attributed no blame to Fallon.

Rachel Flynn, Reynolds’ solicitor , issued a short statement on her client’s behalf. It said: “I deeply regret what happened at Lingfield. I have apologised to Kieren Fallon and everybody involved in the incident and I now wish to put this matter behind me.”

Christopher Stewart-Moore, Fallon’s solicitor, commented on the scale of the penalty and said: “I am very surprised and I know what Kieren’s reaction will be. He’ll be very disappointed.”