Racing Apr 01, 2026

Cheltenham Festival: Nico de Boinville denies using 'racial slurs' towards Declan Queally before Turner Novices' Hurdle

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Cheltenham Festival: Nico de Boinville denies using 'racial slurs' towards Declan Queally before Turner Novices' Hurdle

Nico de Boinville has denied using "any racial slurs" after a complaint from Irish amateur Declan Queally following the Turner Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival.

Queally alleged that English jockey De Boinville "abused" him before the opening race on day two at Cheltenham.

The Turner Novices' Hurdle had started almost four minutes late after a prolonged effort to get the 21 runners into a suitable order, with De Boinville and Queally clashing as they fought for a position close to the tapes.

De Boinville told BBC Radio Sports Extra: "It is an ongoing investigation.

"The stewards are gathering all the evidence they can from all the video footage.

"From my point of view, I deny all the allegations against me.

"I can categorically say there weren't any racial slurs or anything like that. Let's let it play out."

The two jockeys appeared to have resolved their dispute as they shook hands on day three of the event.

Speaking to ITV Racing, Queally said: "All is forgiven and best of luck to him for the future."

De Boinville added: "I appreciate [that from] Declan and wish him all the best."

Returning to the weighing room following the race on Wednesday, Queally, whose mount I'll Sort That finished fifth, told ITV Racing: "The start was a bit of a mess and I got trapped back further than I wanted.

"I was being abused by an English rider, Nico de Boinville, and it's not very nice. I'm an amateur coming here riding in front of my kids and that, it's horrific."

Riding runner-up Act Of Innocence, De Boinville - who won the Gold Cup aboard Coneygree in 2015 - responded: "Maybe he should look in the mirror."

Stewards have adjourned the matter to gather more evidence after a complaint was lodged by Queally following the incident.

On Thursday, the stewards said further evidence will be gathered over the "coming days" after the Cheltenham Festival, with information collated and considered via the stewarding process or referred to the BHA's head office.

Queally was also one of four jockeys found to have breached the rules at the start of the race by the stewards and has been given a one-day suspension.

A report read: "The starter reported that Jack Kennedy, the rider of Ballyfad, Mr D. Queally, the rider of I'll Sort That, Danny Gilligan, the rider of Skylight Hussle, and Darragh O'Keeffe, the rider of Walks In June, had not approached the tape at a walk or a jig-jog thereby causing a false start, resulting in a standing start."

Analysing the start on ITV, riding greats Ruby Walsh and Sir Anthony McCoy felt both riders had the right to stand their ground, with Walsh reiterating his stance that the starting procedures require alteration.

McCoy said: "One person has as much right to be there as someone else. Just because whoever you are doesn't mean to say you should be in there. I don't think Declan's done much wrong. I don't think one person is any more entitled to be there than another."

Walsh added: "That's the same Nico de Boinville who rode Jonbon last year and put his head on the tape. Maybe he needs to look in the mirror, too. You need a rolling start.

"I've said it for a long time, if they walk in front of a tape and then it moves in front of the horses, you'd have none of this drama."

Tags:

racing news

Share this article

Related Posts

Cheltenham Festival: Declan Queally accuses Nico de Boinville of 'abusing' him before Turner Novices' Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival: Declan Queally accuses Nico de Boinville of 'abusing' him before Turner Novices' Hurdle

Irish amateur Declan Queally accused English jockey Nico de Boinville of "abusing" him before the Turner Novices' Hurdle. The opening race on day two...

Cheltenham Festival: Fifth time lucky for Home By The Lee in shock Stayers' Hurdle success for Joseph O'Brien

Cheltenham Festival: Fifth time lucky for Home By The Lee in shock Stayers' Hurdle success for Joseph O'Brien

Home By The Lee made it fifth time lucky as Joseph O’Brien’s star finally won the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.Partnered by JJ Slevin, t...

Cheltenham Gold Cup: Matt Chapman and Paddy Brennan assess every runner on Unbridled

Cheltenham Gold Cup: Matt Chapman and Paddy Brennan assess every runner on Unbridled

With 11 runners assembled for this year's renewal of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Matt Chapman and Paddy Brennan sat down for a special Unbridled preview...

Cheltenham Festival: Kargese keeps it clean for Arkle Novices' Chase success as mistakes cost big two

Cheltenham Festival: Kargese keeps it clean for Arkle Novices' Chase success as mistakes cost big two

Kargese sprang a minor surprise as she claimed victory in the Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.Sent off a 7-1 shot with all...

2000 Guineas: Albert Einstein and Gstaad taken out of Newmarket Classic due to clerical error, O'Brien confirms

2000 Guineas: Albert Einstein and Gstaad taken out of Newmarket Classic due to clerical error, O'Brien confirms

Aidan O’Brien says a “computer error” led to Albert Einstein and Gstaad being mistakenly scratched from the Betfred 2000 Guineas.The much-vaunted Albe...

Cheltenham Festival: Gaelic Warrior wins Gold Cup for Willie Mullins, Paul Townend and Rich Ricci as The Jukebox Man only eighth

Cheltenham Festival: Gaelic Warrior wins Gold Cup for Willie Mullins, Paul Townend and Rich Ricci as The Jukebox Man only eighth

Gaelic Warrior stormed to Gold Cup glory at the Cheltenham Festival, but the race was somewhat overshadowed as Envoi Allen collapsed and died after cr...