Christophe Lemaire's debut as a fully-licensed jockey in Japan is on hold for 30 days after the rider was banned for using Twitter at Hanshin racecourse.
Lemaire, who has been out of action since breaking his leg last November, was due to have his first rides at the track under his new licence but the stewards found he had not switched off his phone on Saturday evening and retweeted an acquaintance's post on the social networking site in contravention of the rules.
The Japan Racing Association's Paris representative Fumi Tsuruoka explained: "All the jockeys who have some engagement to ride in JRA races are required to check in the Jockey's Quarter at the racecourse or Miho/Ritto Training Centre by 9pm on the day prior to the race day.
"It is prohibited for the jockeys to contact any person outside after checking in the Jockey's Quarter until when he/she finishes his/her final ride in that race meeting for the purpose of the integrity."
Lemaire has no right to appeal under JRA rules and has been ruled out from 1-30 March inclusive after the stewards found "his conduct was deemed (to) neglect of the care duty as a jockey".
