The Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) has confirmed that jockey Robert Halledeen’s appeal and request for a stay of execution on his five-day suspension for excessive use of the whip were denied.

Halledeen was handed two separate suspensions for excessive whip use on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. He was suspended for three days for his ride on Funcaandun in the fourth race on July 26, 2025, with the suspension set to commence on August 30, 2025.

He was then suspended for two days for riding I Dream Again in the 11th race on August 6, 2025, with the suspension set to commence on September 13, 2025.

Clovis Metcalfe, chairman of the JRC, confirmed the details of jockey Robert Halledeen’s suspension

“The commission can confirm that jockey Robert Halledeen was on August 13th fined and was suspended for five race days for excessive use of the whip. Halledeen did lodge an appeal and requested a stay of execution from the suspension.

“On Tuesday [August 26], Halledeen was stood down from his rides for Saturday, August 30. The commission investigated the matter and under Rule 15 Section 1 denied Halledeen his request for a stay of execution of the suspension,” Metcalfe said.

Due to a breakdown in communication, Metcalfe said that Halledeen was allowed to ride on August 30, with his suspension now taking effect on September 6.

“However, due to an inadvertent breakdown in communications, Halledeen was unaware of the commission’s decision, the commission, in its interest of fair play, instructed the stewards that Halledeen be reassigned to his mounts for Saturday, August 30th. His suspension, however, should become effective the next race day, which would be September 6,” Metcalfe explained.

Metcalfe outlined the reasons for denying the stay of execution:

1) He’s a habitual offender of the whip rule

2) In the pertinent two races Halladeen used his whip on 18 and 24 occasions in blatant disregard for the rule which speaks to a maximum of six strikes in the straight and 10 strikes overall in any one race.

Metcalfe added: “Halledeen was warned by the stewards on multiple occasions, he was also summoned, and visited the JRC’s office several times for similar offences. Halledeen is an experienced top-line jockey and his continued disregard for the rule is contradictory to fair play and unfair to the jockey colony, many of whom have asked if he is special.”

Metcalfe emphasised the need to level the playing field.

“His ongoing disregard gives him a critical advantage against his peers and the commission needs to level the playing field. Jockeys are reminded to use the whip mainly as reminders or encouragement and not as a punishment,” Metcalfe concluded.