Overview
- The disciplinary hearing begins in central London on Monday with further dates reserved for September 9, 10, 15 and 16, chaired by Clement Goldstone KC with Hannah Bradley and Austin Allison.
- All three are charged under rule J25, with Dylan Kitts additionally accused under rule F37 of failing to make sufficient effort and Chris Honour accused of encouraging a stopping ride and misleading stewards.
- John Higgins, 79, will not attend due to ill health, his representative says medical evidence has been provided to the BHA, and he strenuously denies the charges.
- Hillsin finished third at Worcester on July 5, 2023 after drifting from 2-1 to 11-1, was described as tenderly handled, and received a 40-day suspension from stewards.
- Kitts has not ridden since July 2023 and briefly received an exclusion order during the probe; Higgins and his son-in-law Ashley Barnes were also temporarily excluded over phone records, while owner Alan Clegg has not been charged, and Honour denies the allegations.