Jockey given 30-day ban for dangerous ride just months after fine for locker room brawl | The Sun
Juan Carlos Villanueva has been banned for 30 days after a bizarre and dangerous ride in a race at Ruidoso Downs in America.
Staggeringly, Villanueva was also fined earlier in the year for his role in a jockey's room brawl Zia Park.
The six months to forget for the experienced rider started with that incident at Zia Park, a track in New Mexico.
Details are scarce, but Villanueva was fined $250 for his role in a fight that broke out in the jockey's room.
The altercation caused multiple rider changes to occur throughout the card.
Things have now gone from bad to worse following his ride on Drinkroundthetruth in the 10th race at Ruidoso Downs on June 4.
Villanueva intentionally caused interference throughout the final furlong on Drinkroundthetruth, with his right arm pushing against jockey Felipe Valdez and his horse Mr. Rigger.
He also appears to put his hands on the Valdez's reins in the closing stages.
Valdez appeared to understandably wave his whip in frustration just after the line, but he would get revenge in the stewards room.
The stewards took just three minutes to come to a verdict, disqualifying Drinkroundthetruth and Villanueva.
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It's been a bizarre period for the New Mexico-based rider, who took out his jockey licence in 2012.
He has won multiple stakes races in New Mexico and has won over 100 races on thoroughbreds.
His best year came in 2015 when he rode 35 winners for total earnings of over £300,000.
He's also ridden 34 quarter horses to victory, which is a breed raced primarily over the two-furlong trip.
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