Johnny Murtagh and Colm O’Donoghue were given seven-day bans. They will be free to ride at Longchamp on Arc day, October 5. Colm, in a written statement, admitted guilt but maintained that he was not aware that he was violating the rule. Murtagh, while confirming his post-race comments about Colm moving away from the rail in keeping with a plan, asserted that his euphoria had induced him to use words that he otherwise would not have uttered.

Colm was guilty of helping a stablemate. Jockey Murtagh, however, was found to have brought horse racing into disrepute. In England, the beneficiary cannot be taken to task. In France, both the beneficiary and the favour-granting jockeys are punished.

Trainer O’Brien was aggressive in his defence of Murtagh. “Everyone knows what Johnny (Murtagh) has brought to Ballydoyle. I don’t tell him what to do. It is more a case of me listening to him.  He may not be riding in 10 or 15 years and we want to learn all we can from him while he is. Who knows more about race-riding? Johnny or me? Why would I give him instructions?”

It was powerful testimony. Aidan is soft spoken and every time I have talked to him, I have had to pay full attention. There is no question that he was emphatic and made his point without any ambiguity.

In 2007 after Soldier of Fortune, one of four or five saddled by O’Brien, had won the Irish Derby with Seamie Heffernan, I asked O’Brien this question. “How do you give instructions to your jockeys? It must be a delicate balancing act?”

O’Brien shot back. “I have world class jockeys. They do not need instructions from me. They know what they are doing.”

In 2007, Kieren Fallon was the Ballydoyle torch bearer. John Murtagh took over this year. O’Brien and Murtagh have become the leading trainer-jockey combination in the world. Let me put it this way. O’Brien is struggling to send out losers. Group I wins have come by the bagful. There is a lot of action left and there are some plums to be chased and won.

Colm O’Donoghue rode at Dundalk on Friday. It was a twilight meeting. Colm connected with the 12-1 Diamond Fire. He won in a three-way photo. At Ascot on Saturday, O’Donoghue rides Honoured Guest in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Henrythenavigator is now the 5-4 favourite. Tamayuz has drifted to 15-8. Raven’s Pass, unable to find a chink in Henry’s armour in three successive races, is a general 7-2.

I believe that Raven’s Pass, who has been getting closer to Henry progressively and was a head shy in Goodwood’s Sussex Stakes, will finally have his moment in the sun. Jimmy Fortune has been riding with great confidence.

Christophe Lemaire, Olivier Peslier and Davy Bonilla cross the channel to be at Ascot today. They have mounts in the Ascot card.

 Another Group I race at Ascot today is the Mile Fillies’ Stakes. Rainbow View, already a strong choice for next year’s 1000 Guineas, is 10 to 4 on with Coral. Trained by John Gosden, Rainbow View will have Jimmy Fortune aboard.

The Group II Grand Lodge is another race of importance. Cityscape, from Roger Charlton’s yard, may carry the public purse. Steve Drowne will ride. Admiralofthefleet, now with Dr Mallya and standing at stud in India, won the Royal Lodge in 2006.

Belmont Park has three Grade I races today. Curlin is the star attraction. He is in the Jockey Club Cup field. Vosburgh Stakes, often the springboard to success in the Breeders’ Cup sprint, will be run. Ginger Punch heads the field in the Beldame Stakes. You will be able to watch and wager on these races at Ladbrokes shops.

Santa Anita in California has several Grade I races today. This is the first week of racing on the new Pro-Ride surface, an all weather track.
In a 27-horse field, Penny’s Gift, Richard Hughes up, won the 1300-metre Watership Down Stud Sales Race at Ascot on Friday. Hughes chose the stands’ side and won in a photo finish. Penny’s Gift, a Richard Hannon trainee, was the 15-8 favourite. The winner’s share of the purse was 137,000 pounds.

Mawatheeq, a Marcus Tregoning pupil, won a handicap by several lengths. Mawatheey was getting an encore and is a Danzig colt. Richard Hills rode.

Saturday is the day that Frankie Dettori had seven winners in 1997. I believe I am correct about the year. Dettori does not have a ride in the Q E II Stakes. He won the race with Ramonti last year.  

On Friday at Wolverhampton, a harness race was held. It was the last of the seven-race card. It was the final of the William Hill Pacing Championship. The winner’s purse was 12,000 pounds. There were 12 horses. The race was over a mile. They started six across and in two tiers. Three heats, on September 12, 19 and 20 were held to determine starting berths in the final. In England, an attempt is being made to make harness racing popular. Bookmakers took wagers on Friday’s race.

The winner was Crown Manhattan, a 12-1 chance. Red Casino was second and Lyons March 1 took third. Crown Manhattan came off the pace.

Wolverhampton is an all weather track. There is a convenient train to Wolverhampton station from London’s Euston.