The apprentice jockey Finley Marsh was offered some supportive words by a disciplinary panel on Thursday after he admitted betting on horses over a 16-month period in contravention of the terms of his licence, which was evidently done to feed his addiction to casino-style gambling online.
Marsh was given a six-month ban from racing but received dispensation to continue working at the Lambourn stable of Richard Hughes, his employer for the last six years, who gave a character reference and committed to supporting him.
"The rule which says jockeys must not bet on horseracing is an important and a critical one," said the panel chairman Tim Charlton, delivering the verdict. He said a one-year ban would have been appropriate, but reduced it to take account of the fact Marsh had essentially been living as if already banned for the past half-year.
The panel accepted the evidence of a clinical psychologist that Marsh's betting had been "mindless" and intended as a means of coping with the difficulties of life. "It wasn't in any shape or form calculated behaviour and that, to our thinking, seriously reduces the blameworthiness of your conduct," added Charlton.
"We wish you well for your continued work on dealing with your problem. We've been very impressed with the efforts you've made."
'A sad case of a young man who has grappled with an addiction'
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