Former Workrider Banned.....

A former work-rider has been banned after repeatedly hitting a horse before a race and then threatening to knock out a fellow racing employee and kill his parents when his behaviour was challenged.

Adam Howchin was working for trainer William Knight at Nottingham on August 1, 2024, where he prepared Sugarloaf Lenny for his run in the 1m2f handicap. An independent disciplinary panel heard that while being led around the stable yard, Howchin fell over, after which he proceeded to strike the gelding twice.

The footage from the track's CCTV presented to the panel appeared to show Howchin pulling down on the rein he was leading up with, before repeatedly using it as a whip to flick Sugarloaf Lenny on his flank or hind-quarters.

Fred Rimell witnessed the incident while his father and trainer Mark prepared their runner Tiger Beetle. Rimell said he attempted to intervene, which led to Howchin responding with verbal threats in the stable yard, the pre-parade ring and after the race.

Howchin was found in breach of rules (J)19 and (J)19a, in that a person must not engage in conduct which is prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of racing in Britain.

Panel chair Tim Grey said: "We have concluded on the balance of probabilities, more likely than not, that he struck the horse a number of times, whether with a clenched fist or with reins, and that he also yanked the lip chain the horse was wearing at the time.

"We are content that there was clearly a conversation between him and Mr Fred Rimell, which was heated. On the balance of probabilities, Mr Howchin did threaten him and was abusive in his conduct both before and after the race."

Christina Courquin, representing the BHA, provided comments from Dr Sally Taylor, the BHA's head of equine regulation, safety, and welfare. Taylor stated that the CCTV showed Howchin punched upwards with his right hand and made contact with the left side of Sugarloaf Lenny's head.

She also commented that Howchin, who was accidentally tripped by Sugarloaf Lenny, "showed repeated displays of aggressive behaviour towards the horse, made all the worse as the horse appeared to behave impeccably".

Rimell was also interviewed by the BHA. He said he heard the "battering" of a horse and Howchin was "just whipping him, like almost punching him around the face, smacking him with the excess of the lead rein and trying to use it to whip him behind to go forwards".

Rimell called out Howchin's actions, who responded by saying: "You want to be careful, I'm going to knock you out," before threatening to kill his parents. When Rimell was leaving the stables, Howchin said: "You better start running because I'm going to be after you."

Howchin also threatened Rimell on two other occasions. In the pre-parade ring, he said he would "knock the life" out Rimell, and after the race warned "there will be five boys at the gate waiting there for you".

Courquin said: "The CCTV speaks for itself. The footage clearly shows Mr Howchin repeatedly pulling down hard on the lead rein, jabbing the horse in the mouth, and punching and whipping the horse. The impact on the horse would have been frightening, painful and confusing.

"Mr Howchin's actions fell far below what is expected of a stable employee who was charged with the safety, wellbeing, and proper care of the horse. Making threats of physical violence to a fellow racing participant also falls woefully below the standards expected."

Howchin denied the allegations when interviewed by the BHA. However, he stopped cooperating with the investigation in December and failed to attend the hearing.

He was suspended for a total of eight months by the panel, with six of those for breaching rule J(19) and two of those, and a £1,500 fine, for rule (J)19a. The suspensions will run consecutively.

Howchin, who no longer works in racing, will serve the bans should he register to be a stable employee again, or become licensed by the BHA for any purpose.