Racing: Feuding trainers fined pounds 1,500

The trainers David Elsworth and Bill Turner were each fined pounds 1,500 by the Jockey Club yesterday after being found guilty of violent and improper conduct. The pair were hauled before the disciplinary committee following two incidents at Epsom in July last year when a long running feud boiled over.

After a six-hour inquiry, the trainers were found to have been in breach of Rule 220 (II). After hearing the judgement Turner said: "I've had 20 years of abuse from him [Elsworth]. He has approached me in the weighing room. How anyone can have the audacity to approach you, start an argument and then report you to the stewards is above me."

Turner said their feud was sparked by an incident when Elsworth was the key figure in Ricky Valance's training operation over 20 years ago.