The Jockey Club has admitted the row which led to a boycott of Sunday's Sandown meeting may only be resolved through the courts. The meeting was abandoned when jockeys took the unprecedented action of a boycott in protest over new restrictions on them using mobile phones at racecourses.
Just 14 jockeys, mostly apprentices, declared themselves available for the Sandown fixture where a total of 60 horses were due to run.
Several senior jockeys will be riding abroad on Sunday, including Frankie Dettori, who will be in France.
The Jockey Club introduced a ban on riders using phones in the weighing room as part of an effort to boost horse racing's integrity.
It followed a court case in which a former jockey admitting using his phone to pass on inside information to punters.
But jockeys are furious they cannot use phones at racecourses, saying they need to keep in touch with agents and trainers over forthcoming rides.
John Maxse, the Jockey Club's director of public relations, admitted the row could end up in court.
"We were threatened at a very early stage by a solicitor who represented jockeys, and they said they wanted to take the matter to court," he told BBC Radio Five Live.
"We obviously didn't think that was in racing's interest. Such activities usually only end up benefiting the lawyers.
"However, because this has now spread to damaging racing in the way it is, it would be better maybe to deal with the matter through the courts if we're going to reach an impasse with regard to negotiations.
"The jockeys claimed that our measures are unlawful. We have had legal advice to say they are not. Let an arbiter conclude on that matter and allow racing to carry on."
 | HAVE YOUR SAY |
There could be further trouble ahead on 23 September when riders are prepared to miss the meetings at Newmarket, Beverley and Fontwell.
Champion jump jockey Tony McCoy said: "It's very sad what it has come to but we believe that we haven't been treated fairly. All we ask for is a little bit of trust and we don't seem to have got that."
|  We are not the bad boys here |
The National Trainers' Federation expressed its disappointment at the news of the cancellation.
Chief executive Rupert Arnold said: "It is desperately sad that so many have been deprived of the opportunity to earn a living or enjoy the racing spectacle."
Former champion Flat jockey Kevin Darley told BBC TV that he hoped another protest would not be needed.
"We are not the bad boys here. This is a protest to the Jockey Club to please give us that little bit of trust," he said.
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