6 hours ago
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Nico de Boinville has "categorically" denied using any "racial slurs" towards Irish jockey Declan Queally during the opening race on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.
The English jockey was accused of "abusing" the amateur jockey before the start of the Novices' Hurdle on Wednesday, as it was held up due to a false start.
Queally later told The Racing Post, external he had received "repeated racist abuse" from his rival.
The Irishman, riding I'll Sort That, and De Boinville on Act Of Innocence could be seen exchanging words at the start line, but the Englishman denies any wrongdoing.
De Boinville told BBC Radio Sports Extra: "It is an ongoing investigation.
"The stewards are gathering all the evidence they can from all the video footage.
"From my point of view, I deny all the allegations against me.
"I can categorically say there weren't any racial slurs or anything like that. Let's let it play out."
Queally, 37, appeared to topple off his horse before the race started and had to be checked over by a doctor. He was given the all clear to race, along with Ballyfad, who was kicked pre-race and assessed by a vet in a chaotic few minutes.
A number of false starts to the planned rolling start meant the horses were moved to a standing start at the tape - leaving jockeys jostling for position.
Queally, who finished fifth in the race, told ITV Racing before entering the weight room post-race: "Being abused by an English rider, Nico de Boinville, not very nice.
"I am an amateur, coming over here and riding in front of my kids. Horrific."
When informed of Queally's comments about a difficult start to the race, De Boinville responded: "Maybe he should look in the mirror."
Legendary jockey AP McCoy said Queally has "as much right to be there as anyone" while Ruby Walsh said the start system "hasn't worked for 20 years".
Walsh told ITV: "It's 2026. How has nobody devised a tape that rolls in front of the horses?
"The tape should have been in front of them when they went onto the track and it should be moved in front of the horses.
"We can send missiles after fighter planes in the gulf but nobody can design a rolling flyaway tape.
"That's the joke."
BBC Sport asked the British Horseracing Authority about the ongoing process: "The process of gathering evidence will continue over the course of the coming days and will involve speaking to jockeys and reviewing broadcast footage. This process will take some time and will therefore not be concluded during the Festival".
In the meantime, De Boinville is clear to continue riding and will be on Impose Toi in the Stayers' Hurdle and the well-fancied Jonbon in the Ryanair Chase.
Queally, though, was given a one-day suspension for misconduct at the start.
He was among four jockeys found to be in breach of the rules.
