Dwyer successful in BHA application to avoid India ban

Martin Dwyer has succeeded in his application to the British Horseracing Authority not to reciprocate the 56-day ban he was handed in India following a ride in February this year.

Struthers said jockeys should remain careful about deciding whether to ride in India. He said: "Our advice to them is that it's not our job to tell our members what to do, but what we do say is to be very, very cautious who you are going to ride for, and if you are planning going out, we advise them to come and speak to us first. "I don't know of any jockeys definitely planning to go (this winter). There'll be one or two that may go, but I know of jockeys that definitely aren't going that otherwise would have done." Struthers added: "The decision not to reciprocate the suspension brings to an end to what has been a particularly stressful and worrying period for Martin and his family. Martin is thankful to everyone who has expressed their support and particularly to Graeme McPherson QC who represented him." Jamie Stier, director of raceday operations and regulation for the BHA, said: "As signatories to the International Agreement the BHA's starting point is to recognise the principle of reciprocation of penalties incurred by British riders abroad. However, this is in the expectation that the individual is afforded the tenets of natural justice. "In this particular case, it was our view that these basic principles were not upheld by the RWITC and this was reflected in the BHA's presentation to the disciplinary panel. "Consequently, the BHA supports the decision of the disciplinary panel not to reciprocate the suspension imposed by the RWITC on Martin Dwyer. "It was the BHA's view that there were a number of areas during the process which fell short of being demonstrably fair and were not in accordance with the principles of natural justice. One such example being the decision of the RWITC stewards to make a finding that Ice Age had not been run on her merits and declare her a non-runner, before conducting an inquiry and hearing from Martin Dwyer. "We will be sharing with the RWITC the concerns the BHA set out to the disciplinary panel." Last year Richard Hughes picked up a 50-day ban in India, although he was unsuccessful in his effort for non-reciprocation of the ban by the BHA. He said today: "I'm happy for Martin, other than that, no comment."