AMATEUR jockey Rob James could be back racing by the middle of the July following a Referrals Committee hearing this week.

This week James lost his riding licence and his point-to-point handlers’ permit for 12 months but the last eight months are suspended. The penalty relates to James’s appearance in a short video posted on social media of him sitting briefly on a dead horse.

James had apologised for his “wholly inappropriate and disrespectful” actions, and said he was “heartbroken by the damage” caused by the video, which was taken in 2016.

At this week’s hearing he told the Committee he was just 22 years old when the incident happened at Colin Bowe’s yard in August 2016.

The horse, Three Hail Marys, has died of a heart attack during exercise.

While waiting for the mare to be removed, a senior staff member encouraged James to jump on the mare. He said, being young and naive, he reacted to peer pressure and did so for a couple of seconds.

The IHRB reported that the Referrals Committee found James in breach of Rule 272 (i) in that he acted in a manner which was prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of horseracing.

James also informed the committee that he would not attend a race meeting or a point-to-point for the four-month period of his suspension.

Following Elliott’s referral hearing on Friday, he received a 12-month ban, with the last six months suspended.