British jockey fined over £30,000 and banned for two months after pleading guilty to 'improper conduct' | The Sun

BRIT jockey Harry Bentley has been fined more than £30,000 and banned for two months after pleading guilty to 'improper conduct'.

The case surrounding Bentley, who rides in Hong Kong, had been shrouded in mystery since he was blocked from all racing with immediate effect on November 3.

But the 31-year-old has now copped a massive fine and hefty ban after passing on information about horses he was riding.

Bentley, a Group 1-winnning rider, gave the insider info in return for potential financial reward – but never saw the money.

In a statement, HKJC chief steward Marc van Gestel said: "In determining penalty, the stewards took into consideration his guilty plea, the nature and circumstances of the breach, including that the evidence established that Mr Bentley did not receive the payment as detailed, Mr Bentley’s personal and professional circumstances at the time of the offence and his unblemished record in relation to similar offences.

"In the circumstances, Mr Bentley’s jockey licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of two months to commence on November 3 2023, the day he was stood down by the stewards under Rule 12 (15), and to expire on January 3 2024.

"In addition, Mr Bentley was fined a sum of HK$300,000 (£31,379)."

Stewards said Bentley had passed on info about horses to a person who was not the owner or associated with the horses in any way.

They spoke on a phone the individual had given the jockey.

The pair agreed Bentley would be paid in return for his information but the money was never sent.

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Bentley was also found to have given 'false or misleading statements' when quizzed by chiefs on October 31.

His ban comes after former top rider Silvestre de Sousa was banned for ten months last May.

Former three-time champion jockey De Sousa was found to have breached betting rules by 'facilitating' his pal and fellow Brazilian jockey Vagner Borges in placing a bet.

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