Jumps jockey Cillin Leonard has been suspended for 13 meetings after appearing to ease up and celebrate victory before the winning post in Sunday’s Crisp Steeple at Sandown.
Leonard aboard the $18 outsider Mr Lincoln was beaten by Sing For Peace in photo finish after making what looked to be an irresistible charge in the final furlong of the 4200m contest.
What had appeared set to be a farewell victory for jumping champion Stern Idol instead turned into a dramatic finish after the $1.90 favourite was clearly beaten shortly after the final jump.
Sing For Peace had fought off Hit The Road Jack, but was gobbled up by Mr Lincoln, who had made up four lengths under hard riding in final drive to the line.
Crisp Steeplechase | Sing For Peace
WHAT A FINISH! It wasn’t to be for Stern Idol today, but Sing For Peace got the better of Mr Lincoln in a thrilling finish! 😮
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/MAjgiw4gjT— Racing.com (@Racing) August 2, 2026
Leonard went up in his irons a few strides from the line ready to celebrate, but he never got past Sing For Peace ($3.20) going down a nose.
Stewards found Leonard’s actions “had affected the result.”
“Rider Cillin Leonard (Mr Lincoln, 2nd placegetter) was found guilty of a charge under the provisions of AR 131(b) in that he failed to ride his mount out to the end of the race,” the stewards’ report read.
“Cillin Leonard had his licence to race in races suspended for 13 highweight/jumps races, with the period to commence on Monday 3 August 2026 and expire on Sunday 16 August 2026. Accordingly, Cillin Leonard will be able to ride on Monday 17 August 2026.
“In assessing the matter, Stewards took into account his good record, the evidence and circumstances, it was a feature race and that in the Stewards’ opinion his actions had affected the result.”
It seems a remarkable light ban for a race, which is the one of the showcases of the jumping season and begs the question what a flat jockey would get for doing the same thing in a $100,000 race.
Tom Ryan, who had earlier won the Grand National Hurdle on Andy Win and the opener on Split, knew he was lucky to get the big jumps treble.
Ryan won the Australian Steeplechase aboard Sing For Peace and was back aboard on Sunday, although he thought the gelding had thrown the race away with faulty jump around 1200m from the finish.
“He made really bad mistake, and I don’t know how he stood up, to be honest,” Ryan said.
“But he made a really good jump at the last and it was do or die and he battled on all the way to the line.
“I didn’t think I had held on, but luckily, we did.”
It wasn’t the perfect end for Stern Idol, who was lauded by the crowd coming back in defeat.
Aiming for a fourth consecutive win in the race named after one Australia’s former great steeplechasers, Stern Idol was not at his previous brilliant best on Sunday and jumped scratchily.
Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, said it was a disappointing end to a brilliant career, however, but more importantly, Stern Idol made it around safely.
“Will said he didn’t feel like he was at his best and clearly, he wasn’t,” Turnbull said.
“He didn’t travel as strong and as bold as he normally does and made a few errors down the back.
“There were a few nervous moments late, but thankfully he came back to the yard standing and he pulled up pretty well.
“It’s sad to see him go, but he made it around safe, which is what counts.”
