While Bernard Fayd’Herbe’s ride aboard Al Muthana to win the R2-million L’Ormarins King’s Plate received accolades from many quarters, it did prove costly for the jockey.
Al Muthana went off at 80-1 and beat 1-4 favourite Charles Dickens by 0.30 lengths but it did result in Fayd’Herbe receiving a R40,000 fine for misuse of his crop.
According to the stipes report, “Fayd’Herbe was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that he misused his crop by striking Al Muthana more than 12 times in the entire race.
“Jockey Fayd’Herbe signed an admission of guilt and was fined R40,000.
In determining the penalty, the board took into account the distance over and manner in which Fayd’Herbe used his crop, the number of strikes (16) and the value and status of this race.”
Nevertheless, there were no complaints from the connections and even trainer Ricky Maingard congratulated Fayd’Herbe for his ride aboard the Australian-bred five-year-old son of Deep Field.