BBC SPORT | Other Sports | Horse Racing | Dunwoody stands by Bradley

Richard Dunwoody is standing by Graham Bradley - despite the former jockey's ban for bringing racing into disrepute.

Bradley received an eight-year ban and a total of �2,900 in fines at a hearing of the Jockey Club's disciplinary committee.

The 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner immediately announced his intention to appeal.

Bradley banned for eight years

Former champion jockey Dunwoody, who spoke on Bradley's behalf during the hearing, said: "It's such a shame and I feel very sad for him.

The sport has been great to him but he has also served the sport so well

Richard Dunwoody on Graham Bradley

"I am standing by Brad. I find him a very personable, very kind and likeable person.

"Tony McCoy would say exactly the same - he's one of Tony's best mates.

"Obviously Brad has sailed a little bit close to the wind on occasions and he's paid the penalty.

"We've been through a lot together over the years and he's been a truly good friend.

"It's going to affect his livelihood, he loves the sport and I'm sure he'll be gutted.

"The sport has been great to him, but he has also served the sport so well."

Graham Bradley
Bradley's book got him into trouble
Dunwoody suggested that Bradley may be the latest sportsman to fall foul of revealing too much in his autobiography.

In his book The Wayward Lad, Bradley refers to his attempts to get the 1987 Cheltenham Gold Cup called off.

Dunwoody said: "You only have to look at the Roy Keane book and the trouble he got into after that.

"The ghostwriter wants to produce a good book and they have over-elaborated on things.

"There is artistic licence on other things and it has landed him, like Roy Keane, in hot water."


	Links to more Horse Racing stories