Mick Kinane out of King George

19 July 2001

Mick Kinane will miss the ride on dual Derby winner Galileo in the King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot on Saturday week following a two-day riding ban.

Galileo’s regular rider was suspended for two days at Leopardstown on Wednesday night for careless riding. Kinane is to lodge an appeal.

Only if he gets the suspension lifted would he be able to resume his unbeaten partnership with Galileo, who is odds-on favourite for the Ascot showcase.

Riding 1-3 shot Sophisticat, Kinane found his way blocked two furlongs out. When sent through a gap on the rails a furlong out Sophisticat bumped Maskaya, who in turn knocked Yanni.

Kinane, who had no suspensions last season or this year, is banned on 27 and 28 July.

Ironically, if the incident had taken place in Britain, Kinane would have been free to ride in the King George because there is an exemption for Group 1 days when a suspension for such an offence is for only one or two days.