Jockey Gary Carroll faces a two-week suspension and £5,800 fine following his stunning victory aboard 33-1 outsider Cercene in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last Friday.
The Irish rider exceeded the permitted whip limit during the prestigious Group 1 contest, using it eight times when regulations allow only six strikes in the one-mile race.
The triumph marked Carroll's first Group 1 success and delivered prize money worth nearly £500,000. For trainer Joseph Murphy, the victory represented the pinnacle of more than five decades in racing.
However, the post-race celebrations have been dampened by the disciplinary action taken against Carroll for his riding infringement.
Gary Carroll won nearly half a million pounds with his victory
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The punishment has been doubled from the standard seven-day ban because the Coronation Stakes is classified as a class one race. This means Carroll will be suspended from July 4 to July 17.
Crucially, the timing of the ban allows Carroll to return just in time for the Irish Oaks at the Curragh on July 19. Murphy had initially planned to supplement Cercene for this prestigious contest following her Royal Ascot success.
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The victory was particularly significant as it marked Murphy's first Group 1 winner as a trainer after more than 50 years in the sport. Murphy described it as "a lifetime's ambition to have a Group 1 winner."
Murphy reflected on the achievement, saying: "It's 50 years of work by the family, going from a small yard, switching from National Hunt to Flat and always believing in buying horses and believing that they're going to be good."
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Gary Carroll got his first Group 1 victory at Royal Ascot
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He also praised Carroll's ride on the Australia-sired filly, noting: "She travelled well, Gary gave her a great ride, and we were thinking that being by Australia she'd stay as well. She was headed and came back again. She waited for something to head her but she's very tough and a dream to train."
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The suspension's timing ensures Carroll will be available to partner Cercene in the Irish Oaks, maintaining the successful partnership from Royal Ascot.
Looking ahead, connections are considering various options for Cercene following her intended Irish Oaks appearance. The Nassau Stakes at Goodwood and the Breeders' Cup have been mentioned as potential targets.
Gary Carroll exceeded the whip limit during his victory
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Murphy indicated they might keep the filly at distances between a mile and a mile-and-a-quarter for future campaigns. He revealed his admiration for Cercene's sire Australia, explaining: "Cercene is by Australia, a sire I love, and her half-brother won the Britannia so the pedigree was there and if she was an inch bigger I wouldn't have her."
The trainer has remained loyal to Carroll throughout his career, and this partnership looks set to continue despite the disciplinary setback.
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