Jockey handed ban for 'despicable' treatment of exhausted horse during race

Go On Chez barely made it over the final fence (Picture: RacingTV) A jockey has been handed a 12-day suspension after his treatment of his exhausted horse that had ‘no more to give’ in a chaotic finish to a race. While all eyes were on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival on Friday, there was another ugly incident elsewhere in the country. Amateur rider Charlie Marshall  was riding Go On Chez in the hunter chase at Fakenham as the only runner left standing. Race favourite Janika had unseated his rider with the other two runners also pulling up. But Go On Chez himself looked drained as he approached the final fence. The horse slowed down and appeared to pull to the right to avoid the fence only for Marshall to to veer him back to the jump. The 10-year-old barely made it over the final hurdle, coming down in the middle of the fence as it just about avoided a horrible landing on the other side. Go On Fez managed to pick up a bit of pace and finish the race as the winner.   A stewards report after the race revealed Marshall will serve a short suspension. Go On Fez was the only horse left in the race (Picture: RacingTV) ‘An inquiry was held to consider whether Mr Charlie Marshall, the rider of the winner Go On Chez, had continued in the race when the horse appeared to have no more to give after barely being able to negotiate the final fence. ‘The rider and the veterinary officer were interviewed, and recordings of the incident were viewed. Charlie Marshall was suspended for 12 days on dates to be notified to him by the head office of the BHA.’ On X user described the incident as ‘despicable’ while another wrote: ‘I don’t get why he’s pushing so hard so far away from the jump, that’s awful from the jockey, should be nowhere near a horse.’ 🐎 Absolutely shocking from Charlie Marshall @FakenhamRC making Go On Chez literally climb over the final fence. pic.twitter.com/Vl0z3auEgb— Jon Hindle (@jon_hindle) March 13, 2026 Some however resonated with the jockey who was under pressure to see out the race with the competition out of the way. One user wrote: ‘Unfortunately if the jockey were to have pulled up he’d probably have been torn apart by the trainer, sad sport.’ Racing TV presenter Nick Lightfoot said after the race: ‘It was an extremely unpleasant look. With a strong crowd, including those watching from afar, it is the kind of sight you do not want to see in racing.’ ‘I’m glad that the BHA are taking as strong a stance within the parameters of the law on it.’ Envoi Allen died after Friday’s Cheltenham Gold Cup (Picture: PA Wire) The incident came during a week where four horses died during Cheltenham Festival. Envoi Allen tragically passed away after collapsing just moments after the Gold Cup on Friday – his final race before retirement. Saint Le Fort meanwhile suffered a fatal fall in the final race of the week. HMS Seahorse and Hansard died after incidents earlier in the Festival.