Say it aint so, Damien

[my miss storm cat]

His wife left him, she took the 3 kids, he was falling into a deep depression, facing huge legal bills, drinking again...

No one was going to beat Miss Octopussy that day. She towered over the field (not that it's an excuse - just sayin').

Now he loses out on around $400,000. in potential income, can't associate with anyone in the sport, can't ride till Sept. 13th of next year...

He's been a jockey for over 20 years...

I can't think of his name without seeing him winning on Media Puzzle (for the one or two who don't know the story it was like a week after his brother died. His brother was a jockey too as was the dad and both died in falls on the track) and raising his eyes and his whip to the heavens...

I'm sorry. You're right, I'm wrong, he should be punished but please don't forget this is a human being we're talking about and sitting around and judging.

He completely broke down twice while he was making his statement to the stewards.

He is an outstanding jockey and I imagine him to be a real decent sort and we all make mistakes, all do things we wish we hadn't.

Back problems, drugs, booze, depression, and now we can throw guilt into the equation...

I feel sorry for him and wish him well no matter how moronic that sounds to anyone.