Egan (left) and Smith (right) have been fined for their Saudi Cup rides | Coady Photo/Vid-Horse
Jockey David Egan has been fined $100,000 and suspended two days for excessive use of the whip when riding Mishriff (Ire) to victory in the $20 million Saudi Cup Saturday, according to a report on the website horseracingplanet.com.
In addition, Mike Smith was handed a two-day suspension for his ride aboard runner-up Charlatan (Speightstown) for causing interference, according to the site. The stewards ruled that he interfered with Sleepy Eyes Todd (Paddy o’Prado) shortly after the start. It was the second straight year that Smith was penalized. In 2020, he was fined $210,000 for breaking the whipping rules when aboard runner-up Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute). He was also given a nine-day suspension.
Egan was forced to forfeit 10% of his earnings. The winning rider in the Saudi Cup earns $1 million, based on 50% of the purse. Under Saudi rules, a jockey cannot strike a horse more than 10 times during a race.