Declan Queally Accuses Nico de Boinville of Racial Abuse at Cheltenham Festival

Irish amateur jockey Declan Queally has lodged a formal complaint with the British Horseracing Authority alleging that Nico de Boinville, stable jockey to Nicky Henderson, subjected him to repeated racial abuse during the chaotic start to the Turners Novices' Hurdle on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

The incident unfolded in front of ITV cameras as jockeys jostled for position in the 21-runner field. Queally told the Racing Post he was "coming in around the corner" when the abuse began, alleging de Boinville "called me a f g p k a couple of times in front of the ITV camera." ITV footage showed de Boinville shouting at Queally and, according to the Daily Mail, appearing to demand Queally "get back" while turning his mount to take the rail position where I'll Sort That was stationed.

The start itself was a mess before a single stride was run. Multiple false starts, with at least two declared by the starter per Mirror reporting, prompted officials to switch from a rolling start to a standing start at the tape. The disruption cascaded into disciplinary action for four jockeys: Queally and Jack Kennedy each received one-day suspensions for misconduct at the start, while Danny Gilligan and Darragh O'Keeffe were hit with two-day bans, their penalties elevated because it was their second offence within 12 months. Adding to the pre-race chaos, Queally appeared to topple from his horse before the start and was checked by a doctor before being cleared to ride. A horse named Ballyfad was kicked pre-race and assessed by a vet.

When the race finally ran, de Boinville finished second on Act Of Innocence behind the Willie Mullins-trained winner King Rasko Grey. Queally came home fifth on I'll Sort That.

Queally spoke to ITV immediately after returning to the weighing room. "Being abused by an English rider Nico de Boinville is not very nice," he said. "I am an amateur. I've come over here riding in front of my kids and that. Horrific." De Boinville, when informed of those comments, replied: "Maybe he should look in the mirror."

Queally later told Mirror Racing: "It was of a racial nature. I've reported it and it is being dealt with by the BHA stewards." De Boinville declined to elaborate, telling Mirror he had no comment to make.

The BHA stewards confirmed receipt of the complaint in an official notice, stating that a complaint had been "received from Mr D. Queally regarding an incident at the start" and that they had "adjourned the matter to obtain further evidence" after hearing initial evidence from both riders. When BBC Sport asked officials whether the complaint specifically included an allegation of racial abuse, the response was blunt: "There will be no further comment from us this evening. The incident remains subject to the enquiry, which was adjourned earlier per the stewards notice."

De Boinville was permitted to continue riding pending the inquiry, with BBC Sport reporting scheduled mounts on Impose Toi in the Stayers' Hurdle and the well-fancied Jonbon in the Ryanair Chase. Insiders at the racecourse questioned what The Telegraph described as "such incendiary" claims, and a friend of de Boinville dismissed suggestions he had made any racist comment, though no on-the-record denial from de Boinville himself has been published.

The allegations carry additional context. Ahead of the Festival, de Boinville had written publicly about Irish amateur riders, stating: "The problem is an amalgamation of some of the Irish lads coming in and the amateurs who, and there is no other way of putting it, just don't care." On ITV, before the racial element of the allegations emerged, legendary jockey Ruby Walsh turned that framing back on de Boinville. "It's all great fun and games isn't it, but I think that's the same Nico who rode Jonbon last year and put his head on the tape so maybe he needs to look in the mirror, too," Walsh said.

The BHA has yet to announce a timetable for resuming the adjourned hearing.