The stewards of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) at their meeting on Tuesday last handed jockey Prince Holder a 25-race day suspension following an incident on May 11 when Holder returned to scales, it is claimed, with one kilogramme less than when he weighed out before the race.

On the day in question, Leekout, ridden by Holder and trained by Michael Marlowe, won handily. But during the weigh-in process, Holder, it is claimed, recorded 54.0 kgs compared to his weigh-out allotment of 55.0 kgs — noticeably, one kilogramme less. Leekout was subsequently disqualified and Holder asked to face the stewards at a later date.

Rule 217 (2) of the Rules of Racing reads as follows: “If a jockey be more than 0.5 kilogramme less than the weight at which he weighed out or if a jockey is guilty of any fraudulent practice with respect to weight or weighing, his horse shall be disqualified and the matter shall be reported to the stewards who may fine or suspend the person responsible or report the matter to the commission.”

Holder has since appealed his suspension, meaning that the matter will now have to be heard by the commissioners of the JRC.