Irish jockey Gary Carroll suspended after shock 33/1 Ascot win

June 26, 2025

Irish jockey Gary Carroll has been handed a 14-day suspension and received a hefty fine following his shock Ascot win.

Carroll rode 33/1 shot Cercene to victory, beating favourite Zarigana in the Coronation Stakes.

However, he was found to have used his whip twice over the permitted six strikes in the closing stages of the race.

Due to the race being a Class 1, any suspension is doubled, meaning he will serve a 14-day ban, as well as receiving a £5,800 fine.

Gary Carroll cleared to run at the Irish Oaks next month

What that does mean is that the 35-year-old will be able to ride Cercene at the Juddmonte Irish Oaks next month.

His ban runs from July 4 until July 17, and the Irish Oaks gets underway two days later on July 19.

A report from the Committee read: “Gary Carroll, the rider of the winner Cercene (IRE), was found to have used his whip twice above the permitted level of six from approximately two furlongs out.

“Taking into account that this was a Class 1 race, the penalty in respect of the above permitted level was doubled.”

After trainer Joseph Murphy pocketed £500,000 in prize money for his Ascot win, they have been planning Cercene’s future schedule.

After the Irish Oaks, the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood is a target and Cercene is currently 7/1 with horse racing betting sites to triumph.

Murphy maps out Cercene’s path

The Irish trainer said: “We’ve come up with a provisional plan for Cercene that we are writing in pencil but not Biro.

“We’re thinking of supplementing her for the Irish Oaks before possibly going for the Nassau Stakes, then the Matron Stakes and then on to the Breeders’ Cup.

“I’d love to go up to a mile and a quarter and the extra distance of the Oaks is a big question, but it’s for three-year-olds only. We’re stepping up two furlongs more than we probably should on paperwork.”

Following the win of his career, Carroll said of Cercene: “She is not big, but she is very tough and stuck her head out for me.

“This is hugely satisfying. Group One races are so hard to come by, and good horses are very hard to come by. To do this at Royal Ascot is magic.

“If I was ever to ride a Group One winner, I wanted it to be for Joe Murphy. I have been riding for him since I was a 7lb claimer and he has been very good to me. I am delighted I can repay him.”