De Boinville & Queally shake hands after ‘racial slurs’ accusation

Jockeys Nico de Boinville and Declan Queally shook hands after Englishman De Boinville was accused of aiming “racial slurs” at Ireland’s Queally during the opening race on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

De Boinville had “categorically” denied the claim that he used such language, after the Irish amateur jockey said he was targeted before the Novices’ Hurdle on Wednesday when it was held up because of a false start.

Then on Thursday afternoon, Queally and De Boinville appeared on ITV Racing together and shook hands at the entrance of the weight room, where the Irishman said the matter is “all sorted”.

He said: “All sorted and just a heat-of-the-moment battle. All is forgiven. Best of luck to Nico in the future.”

When asked whether it is important to move on, De Boinville replied: “Very much so and I appreciate Declan and wish him the best.

“Big thanks to Davy Russell [retired Irish jockey] for sorting this out.”

Welsh Grand National-winning jockey Charlie Poste told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra: “It is quite old school. Weighing room culture has come under a lot of fire in recent times and plenty of it, rightly so.

“This is a throwback – an older figure [Davy Russell], who has the benefit of experience and plenty of altercations through his own time, getting the two lads together.

“There is still more to come from the BHA investigation. Let’s shake hands and move on. This is a sporting event and tempers and heated tensions happen.

After first accusing De Boinville of being “abusive”, Queally told The Racing Post on Wednesday he had received “repeated racist abuse” from his rival.

The Irishman, riding I’ll Sort That, and De Boinville on Act Of Innocence could be seen exchanging words at the start line, but the Englishman denies any wrongdoing.

De Boinville told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra on Thursday: “It is an ongoing investigation.

“The stewards are gathering all the evidence they can from all the video footage.

“From my point of view, I deny all the allegations against me.

“I can categorically say there weren’t any racial slurs or anything like that. Let’s let it play out.”

Queally, 37, appeared to topple off his horse before Wednesday’s race started and had to be checked over by a doctor. He was given the all-clear to race, along with Ballyfad, who was kicked pre-race and assessed by a vet in a chaotic few minutes.

A number of false starts to the planned rolling start meant the horses were moved to a standing start at the tape – leaving jockeys jostling for position.

After the race, Queally, who finished fifth, was interviewed by ITV Racing before entering the weight room.

He said: “Being abused by an English rider, Nico de Boinville, not very nice.

“I am an amateur, coming over here and riding in front of my kids. Horrific.”

When informed of Queally’s comments about a difficult start to the race, De Boinville responded: “Maybe he should look in the mirror.”

Legendary jockey AP McCoy said Queally has “as much right to be there as anyone”, while Ruby Walsh said the start system “hasn’t worked for 20 years”.

Walsh told ITV: “It’s 2026. How has nobody devised a tape that rolls in front of the horses?

“The tape should have been in front of them when they went on to the track and it should be moved in front of the horses.

The British Horseracing Authority said the process will continue to be investigated as it has already started.

“When an allegation has been made, it must be investigated,” the BHA told BBC Sport.

“The enquiry process has begun, evidence is being gathered and once started, the process needs to be completed.

“We will continue to gather and consider any relevant evidence as part of this.”

In the meantime, De Boinville was clear to continue riding on Thursday.