Justice has been served to the jockey who punched a horse

A jockey has been suspended for punching his mount before a race in South Australia.

Dylan Caboche, 22, punched his horse 'She's Reneldasgirl' into the starting gates ahead of a race at Port Lincoln on Wednesday.

The horse reared. Caboche dismounted and he punched it in the stomach.

The incident was caught during live broadcast on Racing.com:

He has since been banned for two weeks.

Speaking on Australian news channel 7 News, he said:

Yesterday my actions probably weren't the greatest.

My actions behind the gates probably weren't the greatest - striking a horse is obviously not the right way to go about things.

It was a blank brain fade and it shouldn't have happened.

Thoroughbred Racing SA stewards suspended his license following an inquiry.

A statement read:

TRSA does not condone and will not tolerate such behaviour and it is hoped this penalty - which will remain on the rider's record and will impact his earning ability - will send a strong signal to others.

Racehorse welfare campaign groups called the decision "wholly inadequate":

HT BBC