National Hunt jockey Robbie Dunne has had his 18-month ban reduced to 10 months after an appeal.
Dunne was banned for 18 months in December of last year for bullying and harassing fellow rider Bryony Frost.
An independent disciplinary panel at the time ruled that he was guilty of the "deliberate targeting of a colleague" whose "vulnerabilities" he intentionally "exploited".
The appeal was heard at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on Thursday.
Result of today’s Appeal Board hearing regarding Robbie Dunne:
Appeal dismissed, with the following conditions
(1/3)
— BHA Press Office (@BHAPressOffice) March 30, 2022
Panel chair Anthony Boswood QC said that his behaviour was "thoroughly reprehensible and disgraceful" but that the initial punishment was "very severe."
Four breaches of Rule J19 were originally found by the independent Disciplinary Panel but Thursday's appeal saw this adjusted to one overarching breach, which covers all offences and the ban reduced.
As his ban at the time was with immediate effect, 36-year-old Dunne may return to racing in October 2022.
The BHA say the Appeal Board’s written reasons, and any judgement on costs, will follow in due course.
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