Soumillon banned after Royal Ascot controversy

Jockey Christophe Soumillon has been handed an eight-day suspension at Royal Ascot after stewards ruled he rode Puerto Rico in a manner that advantaged stablemate Gstaad during Tuesday’s Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes.

The inquiry centred on Soumillon’s handling of the 16-1 outsider, who finished last, amid concerns he impeded Power Blue in the home straight while creating a run for Ryan Moore’s mount Gstaad, the Aidan O’Brien-trained second elect.

Stewards found Soumillon deliberately shifted Puerto Rico away from the rail after the home bend, obstructing Power Blue and opening a path for Gstaad along the inside. The interference was deemed to have provided a competitive advantage in the race’s closing stages.

The incident marked the second suspension arising from the race involving the Ballydoyle operation, with Moore earlier receiving a three-day careless riding ban following contact at the start.

Bow Echo narrowly defeated Gstaad by a short head in a photo finish. Ridden by Billy Loughnane for trainer George Boughey, Bow Echo maintained his perfect record.