Cheltenham row erupts as Irish jockey accuses English rival of ‘horrific abuse’

Irish jockey Declan Queally accused his English rival Nico de Boinville of ‘abusing’ him in front of his family as the two clashed on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

Both riders were lining up for the Novices’ Hurdle in the opening race of the day on Wednesday when they were involved in a heated argument that briefly delayed the start.

Queally, riding I’ll Sort That, and De Boinville on Act Of Innocence were jostling for positions close to the tapes.

It came after the planned rolling start to the race was scrapped following a false start.

De Boinville on Act of Innocence finished in second place with Quelly on I’ll Sort That in fifth.

Explaining what happened after the race, Queally told Matt Chapman on ITV Racing: ‘The start was a bit of a mess and I got trapped back further than I wanted.

‘I was being abused by an English rider Nico de Boinville and it’s not very nice. I’m an amateur coming here riding in front of my kids and that, it’s horrific.’

De Boinville was also quizzed on the incident as he made his way back to the weight room, with Chapman explaining what Queally had said moments earlier.

‘Maybe he should look in the mirror,’ De Boinville responded.

Queally is an amateur rider with race legend Sir AP McCoy suggesting he had every right to stand his ground during the row.

‘One person has as much right to be there as someone else.

‘Just because whoever you are doesn’t mean to say you should be in there. I don’t think Declan’s done much wrong. I don’t think one person is any more entitled to be there than another.’

Ruby Walsh added: ‘That’s the same Nico de Boinville who rode Jonbon last year and put his head on the tape. Maybe he needs to look in the mirror, too. You need a rolling start.

‘I’ve said it for a long time. If they walk in front of a tape and then it moves in front of the horses, you’d have none of this drama.’

MORE: Cheltenham Festival 2026: Day 2 betting tips, race card and latest odds

MORE: Horse dies in the second race of the Cheltenham Festival

MORE: Cheltenham Festival: Lossiemouth steals Day 1 headlines with dominant Champion Hurdle win