Jockey blocked from all racing with immediate effect faces grilling over ‘potential disciplinary matter’

THE FUTURE of a British jockey who was stood down from racing last week remains uncertain.

Harry Bentley, 31, won at Group 1 level in Britain before moving to Hong Kong in April 2021.

He was forbidden from any sort of racing for the foreseeable future by Jockey Club chiefs in a statement on Friday.

The statement read: “Harry Bentley stood down from riding in all races, barrier trials and trackwork until such time that he attends an inquiry in relation to a potential disciplinary matter.”

The reason for Bentley being stood down remains a mystery – although in a fresh twist he was officially charged by chiefs ‘under the rules of racing’.

The hearing began on Monday, where the presence of Hong Kong veteran trainer Dennis Yip Chor-hong added further mystery.

It continued on Tuesday but has now been “adjourned to a date to be fixed”.

Bentley had made a strong start to the Hong Kong season and was sitting eighth in the jockeys’ premiership.

He had ridden seven winners from 69 rides in the Far East and prize money winnings of just under £1million.

Former three-time British champion Flat jockey Silvestre de Sousa was also stood down by HKJC chiefs earlier this year.

He was given an enormous ten-month ban last May after being judged to have breached betting rules by ‘facilitating’ fellow Brazilian jockey Vagner Borges in placing a bet.

There was no suggestion De Sousa placed a bet himself and he decided against an appeal.

His countryman Borges was banned for 12 months.