Carberry will not appeal ban
Wednesday, 18 November 2009 12:54Grand National-winning jockey Paul Carberry will not appeal a 30-day Irish riding suspension he incurred following a failed breath test at Naas last month.
Carberry was last Wednesday suspended by a referrals committee of the Irish Turf Club, and was also fined €5,000.
It was the second such offence for the jockey after he failed a breath test at the 2007 Galway Festival.
While Carberry, 35, feels the length of the suspension is severe, he is keen to put the episode behind him and move on.
'I have used the last few days to consider carefully the decision of the referrals committee,' Carberry said in a statement issued through his solicitors.
'While I feel the 30-day suspension over the busy Christmas period is harsh, I nevertheless respect the panel's decision and have therefore decided not to appeal.
'Instead, I will try to use this period positively so that when I return in January I can be at peak fitness and riding at the top of my game as people deserve from me.
'I would, however, like to thank the very many people who have supported me over this period and who continue to support me, and in particular Noel Meade and his owners and my many colleagues in the weighing room.'
Carberry is suspended from 25 November until 24 January. The first meeting he will be available for in Ireland is at Thurles on 28 January.
He will, however, be able to ride in Britain on days when there is no racing in Ireland.
