Inconsistency. The very word suggests some sort of injustice. Injustice is exactly how, I would imagine, Kirsty Milczarek must be presently feeling as she digests the news about Charlotte Kerton.
Ms Kerton was found guilty last week of stopping two horses, Trip Switch and Timeteam. Four others involved were handed bans of at least three years, while trainer George Prodromou was warned off for eight. Yet, Kerton, apart from not being able to apply for a licence for six years, has got off seemingly scot free.
This is the same Kerton - whose ability was moderate at best - who originally denied the charge, blaming period pains. She changed her story at the inquiry. However, she can still set foot on any racecourse, ride work for any stable and, if so deemed, could still ride abroad.
Contrast that with Milczarek, banned for 24 months in December for her ride on Obo Gold at Lingfield in 2009. She was found guilty of passing on information even though the Disciplinary Panel found her not guilty of failing to obtain the best possible placing.
Milczarek is not allowed within 100 yards of any racecourse, can't work in a racing yard and thus denied doing a job she loves and has done all her life
Cynics have suggested she is being punished for being the girlfriend of Kieren Fallon, who has had numerous brushes with the authorities. Yet, apart from his 18-month drug ban, Fallon has never been convicted for corruption, despite what Chinese Whispers would have you believe.
Kerton's decision is almost more amazing than the one involving Fergal Lynch, who brokered a deal with the BHA in 2009, paid £50,000 in order not to be banned from riding anywhere apart from Britain. This from a jockey that admitted stopping a horse for money.
Lynch went to America, earned a tidy sum through being leading rider at Philadelphia, had a brief sojourn being arriving back in Ireland where he continues to ply his trade.
Lynch has since applied for a licence to ride again in Britain which is apparently under review.
It seems that Milczarek, who has always denied the charge, would have been better saying she was guilty - after the 'punishments' dished out to Lynch and Kerton, there is every chance she would still have a licence.
Inconsistency in football could cost a team a point or two, in cricket a wicket. In the case of Milczarek it's potentially her career as there is no guarantee the BHA will grant her a licence when her suspension ends.
race planner and profiler for Ismail Mohammed, pundit on Timeform radio and Nottingham Forest fan
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