Woodbine Fight Results in Long Suspensions

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Woodbine jockey Constant Montpellier was suspended for 150 days and fellow rider Patrick Husbands was slapped with a 60-day ban for a jockeys' room fight on Nov. 11.

Ontario Racing Commission stewards, in a ruling issued Nov. 18, also fined both jockeys $5,000. The riders may appeal the suspensions, which are to begin Nov. 20, to the ORC administrative office.

Husbands, second in the Woodbine rider standings this season, was cited for hitting Montpellier with his helmet during the incident, which took place prior to the fourth race, Daily Racing Form reported.

"He used his helmet as a weapon, attacking another rider," Richard Grubb, senior steward, told the publication.

Montpellier reportedly sustained a concussion and has not ridden since the incident. In addition to the fight, stewards found he had attempted to retaliate against Husbands on the racetrack following the fourth race.

The suspensions, which will carry over into the 2007 meeting, would be in effect through May 8 for Husbands and through Aug. 6 for Montpellier.

Husbands won four consecutive Sovereign Awards as Canada's outstanding rider from 1999 through 2002.

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