Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer gets three-month 'non-sporting offences' ban
The punishment was handed down after the French ministry of the interior submitted a request on behalf of the police on April 30. France Galop, the governing body for flat and steeplehorse racing in France, confirmed its verdict this week following an investigation.
And it means former Cheltenham Festival-winner Cottin will be prevented from entering any runners into competition until September 24. The ex-jockey was previously banned for 12 months, six of which were suspended for good behaviour, after horses under his command failed drug tests.
He returned to competition at the end of 2023 but has fallen afoul of the authorities once more. Specific details regarding this latest suspension are yet to be disclosed. Paris Turf reported Cottin has been denied the right to appeal the verdict.
Cottin and his team successfully argued to have proceedings delayed after the request was first submitted. An adversarial hearing, which allows each party to question one another's evidence, then took place on June 19.
France Galop granted the police request five days later. It's understood Cottin currently has 59 horses in training, each of whom will now be ineligible to race until September as long as they remain part of his stable.
In addition to seeing his training licence suspended, Cottin's rights as an owner and breeder have also been revoked for the three months. The son of famed French trainer Philippe Cottin now faces an uncertain future in the sport, at least in the short term.
The Racing Post reported Cottin's only hope for an appeal would have to go through the courts and is different from a normal disciplinary ban. This supports the assertion that his offence is non-sports related.
The Chantilly trainer celebrated one of the biggest results of his career when Easysland clinched victory in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase in 2020. That win interrupted Tiger Roll's run of success in the race and prevented the Gordon Elliott-trained icon from winning it four years in a row.
Twelve months later, Tiger Roll got his revenge by pipping Easysland to the title once again. However, Cottin has since bounced back with more recent success.
He won the Prix Alain du Breil with Kervala du Berlais at the Grande Course de Haies de Printemps in May. That netted the trainer his chunk of a £150,000 winner's prize and marked one of the biggest results of his career shortly before this latest setback.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘This race should set up perfectly for him' – Templegate's red-hot Sandown NAP
TEMPLEGATE tackles Friday's action hungry for winners. Back a horse by clicking their odds below. CASH (4.10 Sandown, nap). Jamie Spencer's mount can swoop late to take the Listed Gala Stakes. He was in decent form at Goodwood last time when the challenge came a little late. There are a couple of prominent racers in the field who should set it up nicely. ELSASS (3.25 Doncaster, nb) Went down in a tight finish here last time and can go one better for in-form Charlie Johnston. The handicapper has left his mark alone despite that promising effort and he has a lot more to offer with just four starts under his belt. TRUESHAN (4.45 Sandown, treble). He's nine now but looked in good form when returning with an excellent fourth in a French Group 1 last time out. It's a big drop down to Listed level from there and we know he has plenty of staying power. He won this race last year and can repeat the feat. Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Most read in Horse Racing Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Irish Independent
6 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Irish woman (75) found alive after going missing during pilgrimage to Lourdes
The woman, who had travelled with a group from the Diocese of Derry, disappeared on Sunday evening and was reported missing by pilgrimage organisers on Monday morning. There was considerable concern over the disappearance because the woman uses a walking frame and weather warnings have been issued in that region of France amid a record-breaking heatwave. A major search operation was launched and the woman's walking frame was discovered on the side of the road near the commune of Lugagnan. She was found by firefighters 10 metres below a roadway nearby. French police believe that she crossed the Gave de Pau river, as she was discovered in a steep, inaccessible area on the opposite bank. The woman had sustained a hip injury and was transferred to hospital, where she received treatment for injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. French police credited a recently introduced text alert system for the location of the Irish woman, according to media outlet Dépeche. A message regarding her disappearance was circulated by police to shopkeepers, taxi drivers, train operators, and other professionals. A witness came forward shortly afterwards. 'We were told that a document belonging to the missing woman was found on the outskirts of Lourdes on a road towards Argeles-Gazost,' said a police spokesperson. The search then focused on that area, and police officers on mountain bike patrol spotted her walking frame on the side of the road near Lugagnan. 'They then inspected the surrounding area, particularly the banks of the Gace,' they added. 'She clearly crossed the Gave since she was on the other side, in a steep and difficult-to-access area.' The woman was rescued by firefighters and was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Lourdes, according to the French media outlet.
Extra.ie
8 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Owen Farrell's surprise Lions call-up has split opinions
Andy Farrell has made his biggest call yet as he has called up his son and former England International Owen Farrell to the British and Irish Lions squad following an injury sustained by Elliot Daly. Daly fractured his arm in the second half of Wednesday's game against the Reds and will be a huge miss for Andy Farrell's squad. A utility back, Daly has massive Lions experience having featured in the previous two tours and had started this tour very well. As unfortunate as it is for Daly it has opened the door for Andy Farrell to call up Owen for what will be his fourth Lions tour now, having featured in the previous three dating back to 2013. Owen Farrell of the Lions kicks the match winning penalty during the match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the British & Irish Lions Pic:Owen Farrell took a step away from International rugby in 2023 following the Rugby World Cup and soon after he left Saracens, who he had played his whole career with, to move to Paris and join Racing 92 last summer. It was a welcomed move at the time as Farrell was still considered to be one of the best players in Europe and it gave the chance to see him join the likes of Dan Carter and Johnny Sexton as great fly-halves to have lined out for Racing. With his former England coach Stuart Lancaster as Head Coach too it was expected to be a match made in heaven for Farrell. However it was anything but. Farrell struggled with injury all season and Lancaster struggled to deal with the pressure of the harsh French media and was ultimately dismissed from his role in February. Farrell made 17 appearances in the arduous French season and scored only one try for the Parisians. He has subsequently cut his time in Paris short and has now returned to Saracens ahead of next season. Owen Farrell of Racing 92 looks on during a Top 14 match Pic:This form wouldn't be the usual form for someone who's in the Lions squad but in Owen Farrell, the Lions now have a pure winner. Farrell has been a leading player in Grand Slam winning sides, Champions Cup winning sides and World Cup finalists and at points over the last decade was one of the best players in the world. He is one of the most decorated players in English rugby history and it's that Owen Farrell which father Andy would hope joins this British and Irish Lions team in Australia. However even still Andy Farrell's choice to call-up his son ahead of the likes of Tom Jordan, Blair Murray, Freddie Steward or even a Jack Crowley or Sam Prendergast, who all don't have the career Owen has had but have had great campaigns this year, has ruffled a lot of feathers. This version of Owen Farrell should not be getting a Lions call up– no form in 24/25 + injury issues– Plenty of options at 10/12– no international rugby since 2023– not a like for like swap with Daly (FB covered may be needed) How can Andy Farrell justify this?
