Jockey Martin Chuan has been suspended for 15 days by the racing authorities for "failing to make his best effort"

The Delaware stewards suspended the Peruvian jockey and also imposed a $1,000 fine for his ride aboard Pipers Song, who finished last, beaten by more than 31 lengths. The complaint was lodged by the filly’s trainer, and an attempted appeal was rendered invalid due to an administrative issue

WILMINGTON, Delaware (Special for Turf Diario).— A ride aboard a debuting filly has left Peruvian jockey Martin Chuan sidelined for 15 days alongside a $1,000 fine. Stewards from the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission ruled that the rider failed to make "his best effort" when riding Pipers Song (Golden Lad) on September 10 at Delaware Park, as reported by The Racing Biz.

The suspension took effect on September 27 and will run through October 11, just one week before the conclusion of the Delaware Park meet scheduled for October 17. The incident occurred in a maiden claiming race where Pipers Song, a 3-year-old filly trained by Kelsie Shotzberger, was making her career debut.

According to the official chart, Pipers Song trailed the field throughout and never threatened, crossing the wire 11th and last, beaten 31 3/4 lengths by the winner.

Shotzberger subsequently lodged a complaint regarding Chuan's ride, which ultimately triggered the penalty. The perspective from the jockey's camp, however, is entirely different.

John Weilbacher, agent for Chuan, told The Racing Biz that his rider attempted to coax a response from the filly, but she never offered one.

“He asked the horse for an effort, but she just wasn't reacting at all. It was like she didn't want to be out there, like she had no interest in running. So he essentially just guided her around the track safely,” he explained.

Subsequent events add further context to the situation. Pipers Song returned to the races just eight days later, on September 18 at Laurel Park, this time under jockey Gavin Ashton.

The outcome was equally unpromising. According to Equibase charting, the filly failed to keep pace with the leaders coming off the far turn and dropped out completely, finishing last once again, this time beaten by 39 3/4 lengths.

An Appeal That Failed to Proceed

Weilbacher also noted that he attempted to appeal the stewards' ruling, but the process stalled on a technicality.

He stated that the filing was rejected because the documentation was not notarized, a strict requirement under Delaware rules.

Consequently, Chuan began serving his suspension on September 27 and will not be eligible to return to the saddle until the penalty expires on October 11.

At 31 years old, the jockey has compiled 289 career victories in the United States, including several graded stakes placings. Furthermore, he is enjoying another strong meet at Delaware Park, sitting third in the standings with 37 wins after also finishing third in 2025.

The ruling sidelines him for a major portion of the final stretch of the meet, which wraps up on October 17. While stewards concluded that Chuan failed to put forth his best effort aboard Pipers Song, his team maintains that the filly simply offered nothing—a point underscored just eight days later when she ran back and trailed by nearly 40 lengths.