Jockey gets two big bans in two weeks as horse dies and another falls after ‘extremely careless’ riding

AN APPRENTICE jockey sensationally racked up two huge bans within a week after two incidents saw a horse die and another fall.

Axel Concepcion, 18, has been banned for a staggering 52 days after the incidents at Delaware Park in Wilmington, US.

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He copped the first ban for an incident on September 21, where he was riding Backwoods Boogie for trainer Mary Eppler.

Backwards Boogie impeded multiple horses coming out of the gate and caused Trumpence to fall.

Trumpence was fatally injured and stewards placed all the blame on Concepcion, finding he was “extremely careless in failing to control his mount”.

The race had to be suspended and was voided, with Trumpence’s jockey Kevin Gomez thankfully escaping without injury.

That suspension was cut from 30 days to 21, with Concepcion not appealing the sanction.

Just two weeks later, Concepcion was involved in another Delaware incident, this time on Speargun for trainer Jamie Ness on October 4.

This time Concepcion used “poor judgement” when he went for a tight gap on the far turn.

This ultimately caused Golden Gulley, ridden by Jeiron Barbosa, to fall. Neither were injured.

This suspension is also subject to a reduction to 21 days, but Concepcion’s agent Tom Stift has said he’ll be appealing.

Just to really add the cherry on top, Concepcion also copped a 1-day ban for a whip violation on October 4, taking his total to 52 days.

His bans will run from October 6 to October 26, while the second runs from November 2 to December 1.

Concepcion has enjoyed a remarkable rise in 2023, winning on 176 of his 880 rides.

He’s earned over £3.3 million in prize money and has also placed at Graded level, despite being in just his first year riding.