The British Horseracing Authority confirmed yesterday that it had placed an interim suspension on the training licence of Sir Mark Todd. The BHA took action after a video emerged on social media platforms that showed the former gold medal-winning rider repeatedly striking a horse with a tree branch.
Initially posted on video-sharing platform YouTube, the video was quickly shared on other mediums, including Facebook and Twitter. Todd, who is in charge of a training session for cross-country horses, can repeatedly be seen striking a horse who refuses to enter a water jump. People can be heard laughing in the video as Todd whips the horse with a tree branch he is carrying.
Todd won gold while riding for New Zealand aboard Charisma at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984 and the Seoul Olympics held in South Korea in 1988. The Queen knighted him for his achievements in equestrianism in 2013.
The double gold winner took out a licence to train Flat horses in 2019, and in the three years, he has saddled 14 winners from 133 starters. Last year was his most successful one with his 13 winners netting prize money of £121,000.
However, Todd’s only runner this year was Rose Fandango, who finished outside the placing in January,
In a statement, the British Horseracing Authority said the chair of British racing’s Independent Judicial Panel had approved an interim suspension of Todd’s licence to train.
It reads: “This interim suspension means that while investigations continue into the circumstances of this incident, Sir Mark will be unable to race horses in Great Britain or internationally.
“The trainer has admitted the individual involved in the video was him, has apologised for his actions and agreed to the imposition of an interim suspension. On Sunday, the BHA condemned the video and confirmed that it was looking into the incident.
“The BHA will provide further updates as necessary in due course, though will not be able to comment on the detail of the investigation itself until it is concluded. The interim suspension has been approved on the basis that it can be reviewed at a later date if necessary, on application by either party.”
As a result of the video surfacing, Todd stepped down as a patron of World Horse Welfare. A statement on their website said that the horse’s treatment, as seen on the video, “is disturbing and unacceptable” and adds that there is no place for such force to be used. They add that Todd has accepted his behaviour is wrong and has apologised.
They add that he voluntarily gave up his patronage once Todd was made aware that the video existed. Adding, – “there cannot be any tolerance for unacceptable practises, no matter how experienced the rider or trainer.” The suspension means that Cape Cornwall Rose will no longer run. The three-year-old was entered at Lingfield on Friday.
