Ben Allen has been hit with a large fine and suspension following his controversial front-running ride in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup. Allen was riding Royal Supremacy when the Cup saw the jockey lead the field by 20 lengths.
Allen was fined $5,000 after breaching Australia's strict whip regulations during the 3200-metre race feature at Flemington.
The jockey pleaded guilty to using his whip on the horse 10 times before the final 100 metres of the race, double the permitted limit.
Royal Supremacy finished the race in fifth, but his unexpected tactics raised questions about his intentions for the race.
Many spectators believe that Allen deliberately acted as a pacemaker for trainer Ciaron Maher's other runners. However, Racing Victoria stewards didn't find any evidence of improper riding.
According to the stewards' report, Allen had initially planned to fall behind the expected leader Kizlyar. However, as Kizlyar failed to muster his anticipated speed, Royal Supremacy took over.
“Allen explained that the primary plan was to ride the horse with cover behind the leader, which he expected to be Kizlyar,” a post-race stewards statement said.
“When Kizlyar did not muster speed as he expected, rather than restrain his mount, he allowed the horse to stride forward and lead.
“Allen added that previously Royal Supremacy raced successfully when leading at Eagle Farm on 13 June 2026, so he was not concerned when he was unable to obtain cover."
Allen spoke to the stewards and revealed he was surprised by the lead he established and believed his mount was comfortably in front.
“Obviously wasn't the plan,” Allen said after the race.
“He's very tough. I was surprised when I looked back at how far off they were, as I didn't think we'd gone that sort of gallop."
Despite losing the fast stride in the closing stages, Royal Supremacy managed to keep up with the pack, finishing just over five lengths behind Point Of Law.
The result joined the historic afternoon for master trainer Ciaron Maher, who became the first trainer in Melbourne Cup history to prepare the trifecta, with horse Zahrann finishing second and Juja Kibo finishing third.
Maher expressed that he wasn't expecting Royal Supremacy to make an established advantage but was pleased with the genuine staying test created by the race.
“I knew I had my best hand going into it, but it's got to execute,” Maher said.
The 16-meeting suspension will begin on November 6 and run through to November 20, allowing Allen to fulfil his riding commitments on Oaks Day before serving his penalty.
