Micheal Nolan has been given a 10-day suspension from horse racing after his controversial ride on Celebre D’Allen in the Grand National. And Saturday wasn’t the first time the Irish jockey has found himself under investigation.
Celebre D’Allen collapsed after being pulled up towards the end of the Aintree showdown, with stewards determining that Nolan had continued racing despite the horse ‘having nothing left to give’. The 13-year-old required immediate veterinary attention, and fans waited anxiously before it was confirmed that he was up and in a horse ambulance. Trainers Philip Hobbs & Johnson White posted a positive update on Sunday morning, with Celebre D’Allen basking in the sunlight and back to feeling himself.
Nolan was slapped with a separate 12-day suspension last November for taking the wrong course while aboard Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase favourite Tommie Beau at Cheltenham. The punishment was successfully overturned on appeal, with Nolan arguing that the horse did not respond to his multiple attempts to change direction.
It was a painful ordeal for the Irishman, who was then torn into by some of the punters let down by the unusual mishap.
“When I walked back up to the weighing room, it was one of the most horrible moments of my life because of the abuse I got from punters,” Nolan said when giving evidence to an independent disciplinary panel.
“It’s not something I want to remember. I got called every name under the sun and was threatened, which I don’t want to repeat again. I convinced the owner to run him. I’ve always wanted to win this race having been second before and I was heartbroken. I was abused by the public after trying my best to win.
“It’s one thing to be abused on social media after losing on a favourite but it’s a bit scarier when somebody is saying they’re going to meet you in the car park.
“I’ll never forget about this as it was probably my one chance to win the race and it’s gone. I did everything I could and it went wrong in seconds. I’ve not had many worse days on a racecourse.”
Nolan is an experienced jockey with more than 1,000 rides and over 100 winners. His current ban will be effective from April 19 to April 26, and on the dates of May 3 and May 5.
