TOP trainer Mick Appleby's husband has been banned for 12 weeks after 'losing his temper' with a horse.
Jonny Clayton, who works as his partner's assistant, was found to have contributed to a horse suffering a 'significant' injury after losing his cool.
Half of the sentence has been suspended for a year after a plea deal was struck between Clayton and the BHA, report the Racing Post.
Three-year-old filly Twilight Jazz suffered cuts to her mouth during the incident in July last year.
The bit – a piece of metal that goes in the horse's mouth – caused the damage, but it could not be determined exactly how.
It could have been due to Clayton pulling down on the lead rope or the horse stepping on the rope after Clayton dropped it when the 'difficult to handle' horse knocked him to the ground.
Charlotte Davison, representing the BHA, said: "There can be no escaping the fact this is a serious incident and that a significant injury was caused to the horse by virtue of Mr Clayton’s actions.
"The fact is he lost his temper and he accepted that, and that his actions led to the injury."
While George McGrath, boss of the National Association of Racing Staff, said the incident was 'entirely out of character' for Clayton.
He added: "When I have spoken to Mr Clayton he is extremely remorseful for his actions, but perhaps more tellingly he is very embarrassed.
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"He is a professional horse person and prides himself as such. He’s extremely contrite for his actions on that morning."
The incident was reported by a junior member of staff at Appleby's Langham Racing Stables, near Leicester.
Appleby has enjoyed the best year of his career after seeing superstar two-year-old colt Big Evs become a Breeders' Cup champion.
He won the Juvenile Turf Sprint in sensational style earlier this month under a brilliant ride from Tom Marquand.
Victory was worth more than £430,000 and reduced proud owner Paul Teasdale to tears.
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