Punters slate ‘sheer and utter madness’ as Ryan Moore is hit with record-breaking £16,500 fine and ban

PUNTERS have hit out at the decision to dismiss Ryan Moore’s appeal against a record-breaking £16,500 fine as ‘sheer and utter madness’.

The world’s top Flat jockey has also been given a one-day ban for his heroics aboard Auguste Rodin in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

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Moore was hit after his heroics on Derby winner Auguste Rodin[/caption]

Moore pulled off a nerve-shredding masterclass on the inside rail to scoop the £1.7million winner’s prize last November.

But eagle-eyed stewards noticed he struck the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt seven times – one over the limit.

They were quick to act and initially doled out the fine and ban in the aftermath of the Santa Anita race.

Moore appealed but that was dismissed by stewards last weekend – who decided once and for all to impose the huge fine, thought to be a record in the state of California.

The financial hit took some of the gloss off Auguste Rodin’s incredible win.

And punters were quick to lash out at stewards for what they deemed an over-the-top punishment.

One wrote in astonishment at the size of the fine: “Sheer and utter madness.”

Another said: “By all accounts the best ride of the Breeders’ Cup but he’s fined. What a joke!”

One comment read: “This sport is so dumb. One of the best rides you will ever see and he got fined £16k for it.”

Another viewer posted: “That ride was brilliant. These rules need to be reassessed.”

While a fifth said: “I would gladly donate to his fine. That ride on Auguste was brilliant. Well worth it.”

The fine actually represented roughly 1 per cent of the winners’ share of money.

A powerhouse, billionaire partnership of John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Georg von Opel all jointly own Auguste Rodin – who will remain in training at four and possibly be aimed at the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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