A two-year investigation into the July 2023 Worcester race involving the horse Hillsin concluded with jockey Dylan Kitts and John Higgins, an associate of the horse’s owner, found guilty of conspiring to deliberately prevent Hillsin from winning. Trainer Chris Honour was cleared of conspiracy but reprimanded for misleading stewards. Kitts admitted to holding the horse back due to perceived threats from Higgins, though the panel found no evidence of actual threats. Higgins and footballer Ashley Barnes, Higgins’s son-in-law, both refused to cooperate with the inquiry, with Barnes previously banned by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). Penalties for Kitts and Higgins are pending, with the BHA emphasizing its commitment to integrity in racing.
Separately, trainer Jim Goldie is poised for a breakthrough in the Ayr Gold Cup sprint with his horse Jordan Electrics, who showed strong form last season despite his advanced age for a sprinter. Goldie, who celebrated his first Group One win at Royal Ascot in June, has steadily built a successful northern stable. Jordan Electrics, carrying a competitive weight and ridden by apprentice Lauren Young, is considered a strong contender in this highly competitive handicap. The article also includes various racing tips for upcoming events at Ayr, Newbury, Chester, and Wolverhampton.
