Harry Bentley has taken to social media to clarify the charges Jockey Club stewards handed down to him on Monday, declaring “this charge is in no way related to giving tips, betting, wagering, race fixing or accepting payment ahead of race riding”.

Bentley was handed a two-month suspension and a HK$300,000 fine after pleading guilty to a charge of improper conduct under Rule of Racing 155 (5), which states that “no person shall be guilty of any misconduct, improper conduct or inappropriate behaviour”.

“I would like to thank the Hong Kong Jockey Club for their close consideration throughout the stewards’ inquiry regarding an isolated incident, which occurred when I was new to Hong Kong and the racing scene,” Bentley said in a statement.

“I want to be extremely clear that this charge is in no way related to giving tips, betting, wagering, race fixing or accepting payment ahead of race riding.

“I ask that the public trust in the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s decision and have confidence that if this was the case, I would not have received the penalty I have.

“I have always tried to get the best position for my horse – that has never been in question. I accept that I should have done more research on the rules in Hong Kong, and I will endeavour to do better in the future.”

The particulars of Bentley’s charge include “inappropriate communications in respect to information about horses he had ridden in trackwork, barrier trials or races with persons who were not the registered owners or nominators of such horses [and] using a private mobile telephone provided by such persons, agreeing to accept a payment from a person who was not the nominator of a horse in relation to a race he had ridden in [and] providing false or misleading statements at an interview conducted on October 31 2023”.

False statements and burner phones: on face value, Bentley is lucky

Bentley, a member of the Hong Kong jockeys’ roster since April 2021, has already missed three meetings and will be sidelined for another 15 Hong Kong fixtures before he is free to resume riding at the Happy Valley meeting on January 4.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my partner, my family, friends and racing fans for their unwavering support,” Bentley continued.

“I will use my suspension to prepare myself for the rest of the season and, as always, do my very best for the owners, the trainers, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and all my supporters. I can’t wait to get back in the saddle early in the New Year.”