The Stewards of the Mysore Race Club held an in depth enquiry into the running and riding of Echoes of Light in the Huntsey Gold Cup race held during the recently concluded Mysore racing season. After interviewing trainer D Byramji and jockey C Alford, the stewards found them guilty under rules 159(A) and (B) of the BTC rules of racing. These rules relate to a horse being allowed to run in a race on its merits, as also that if there are two horses belonging to the same owner or trainer, both being permitted
to perform at their best.

The two of them have been suspended till the end of February, when the Mysore winter season is slated to end. The case has been forwarded to the Stewards of the Bangalore Turf Club (the licensing authority), with a recommendation that should they apply for fresh licenses, the said applications should not be considered till October 31, 2008.

It must be understood that licenses to trainers and jockeys are issued on an annual basis. Their validity is from April 1 to March 31. A fresh application needs to be filed every year and new licenses are issued accordingly. Only in extreme cases are these applications put up before the stewards for their orders. In all cases, the right to issue or deny a license to a professional rests with the Stewards of the Bangalore Turf Club.

The authorities at the Mysore Race Club have once again sent out a clear signal that they are deeply concerned about clean and fair racing. In their eyes, regardless of name or fame, all are treated equally.

The system permits D Byramji and C Alford to file an appeal against the above order, before the Appeal Board at the BTC. It is assumed that the two of them shall be doing so.