Jockey banned for booze

Carberry, who won the 1999 Aintree Grand National on Bobbyjo, received the ban after failing a breath test before Naas races on October 31.

The ban starts on November 25 and he has a week in which to appeal. It was Carberry's second such offence and he was also fined £4,500.

"I knew going there they were going to come down tough but 30 days is a long time," Carberry said.

"We will have to see about an appeal. We will have to look at it. This has put me in a situation alright."

Carberry's breath test result has not been made public, but the limit for jockeys racing in Ireland is 35 micrograms per 100ml of breath - identical to current UK and Ireland drink driving laws. Breath tests are carried out at random on jockeys racing in the UK and Ireland.

The jockey has long been known for his battles with drink, and is currently undergoing counselling to try and kick the habit.

His previous drink-riding offence came two years ago at the Galway festival, when he failed a similar pre-meeting test. That time, he was banned for just four days - but it was far from his only run-in with controversy.

In 2006, he was sentenced to two months in prison after setting fire to a newspaper on board a flight from Spain to Ireland, but avoided jail on appeal.

Trainer Noel Meade stuck by his number one jockey - but warned that he will not tolerate any further alcohol-related trouble.

"This is his last chance with me," Meade said. "He has promised to give up drinking and taken the necessary steps and I’m happy to stick with him as long as he does that."

An Irish Turf Club media release said its referrals committee was conscious of its role in ensuring the continued safety of racing but had also taken into account assurances given by Carberry's solicitor "in relation to certain matters."

Carberry, 35, comes from a noted racing family. His brother Philip and sister Nina are both professional jockeys and their father Tommy won the 1975 Grand National on L'Escargot.