Soumillon must face ‘nightclub headbutt’ probe

Racing officials are set to investigate claims that jockey Christophe Soumillon headbutted the son of a leading trainer in a Hong Kong nightclub on Sunday night.

The Belgian jockey is alleged to have clashed with George Moore, son of leading trainer John, following racing at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Soumillon received two suspensions at the meeting, one of which was for causing interference in the closing stages of the Hong Kong Cup in which John Moore's hot favourite, Viva Pacata, finished fourth.

The Hong Kong-based Australian trainer said Soumillon, who partnered Bullish Luck in the feature event of the Cathay Pacific International race day, "turned his horse's head in" to interfere with Viva Pataca when jockey Darren Beadman attempted to track Mike De Kock's eventual winner Eagle Mountain.

South African Doug Whyte, who has been champion jockey in Hong Kong for the last eight seasons, described the contest as "the dirtiest race he had ever ridden in".

Hong Kong Jockey Club chief steward Jamie Stier said: "We are aware that an alleged incident took place in a nightclub and it is in the hands of our security department."