An Irish amateur rider has accused top British jockey Nico de Boinville of making a racially abusive comment towards him during a chaotic incident at Cheltenham on Wednesday. Declan Queally and de Boinville, who is the stable jockey for Nicky Henderson, engaged in a heated exchange at the start of the Turners Novices’ Hurdle, the first race on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival.
The situation escalated as the riders vied for position among the 21-horse field, resulting in two false starts before the race officially commenced. De Boinville ultimately finished second on Act Of Innocence, with Queally coming in fifth on the family-trained I’ll Sort That.
Following the race, Queally expressed his dissatisfaction to ITV Racing, stating, “The start was chaotic. Being verbally attacked by English rider Nico de Boinville is unacceptable. I’m an amateur rider, and it was distressing to experience this in front of my family.” De Boinville responded by suggesting Queally reflect on his own actions.
During a subsequent stewards’ inquiry, it was reported that Queally, Jack Kennedy, Danny Gilligan, and Darragh O’Keeffe had contributed to the false starts by not approaching the starting tape properly. Kennedy and Queally received one-day suspensions for misconduct, while Gilligan and O’Keefe were suspended for two days due to a repeated offense.
Queally lodged a complaint about the incident at the start, alleging that de Boinville used offensive language towards him in front of the ITV camera. Queally later clarified to Mirror Racing that the comment was racially charged and that he had reported it to the BHA stewards. De Boinville declined to provide a response when contacted.
According to the stewards’ notice, the matter is currently under investigation, with further evidence being sought before a decision is made.
For more information and insights on the Cheltenham Festival, grab a complimentary betting offer in your favorite racing paper daily during the event from Tuesday, March 10, to Friday, March 13, 2026. Stay updated with expert analysis and tips from top tipsters to make the 102nd Cheltenham festival a memorable experience.
Remember, betting is for individuals aged 18 and above, and terms and conditions apply. Check the paper for more details.