Delaware Stewards Hand Down Suspension to Jockey Martin Chuan
Jockey Martin Chuan is serving a 15-day suspension ending October 11 after the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission stewards penalized him for failing to give his best effort aboard a debuting 3-year-old filly named Pipers Song.
The suspension began on September 27 following a maiden claiming contest held on September 10 at Delaware Park, as reported by The Racing Biz. Stewards also levied a $1,000 fine against the rider. Race charts indicate that Pipers Song trailed the field, was outrun, and finished 11th and last by 31 ¾ lengths. The filly’s trainer, Kelsie Shotzberger, subsequently filed a formal complaint regarding the ride.
Agent Defends Jockey Handling of Pipers Song
John Weilbacher, Chuan’s agent, defended the jockey’s handling of the horse during the September 10 race.
“He asked the horse for some effort,” Weilbacher told The Racing Biz. “The horse just wasn’t responding whatsoever, like she didn’t want to be out there, wasn’t interested in racing or anything. And so he just basically got her around the track safely.”
Pipers Song returned to the track on September 18 at Laurel Park with jockey Gavin Ashton in the saddle. Equibase charts for that race note that the filly failed to kick on with the leaders leaving the far turn, faltered, and again finished last, beaten 39 ¾ lengths.
Weilbacher attempted to appeal the Delaware stewards’ ruling on Chuan’s behalf. However, track officials denied the appeal because the necessary paperwork lacked notarization, a specific requirement under Delaware racing rules.
Delaware Park Standings and Career Statistics for Chuan
Chuan, 31, enters the final stretch of the Delaware Park meet as a prominent fixture in the local rider standings.
* Career Victories: 289
* Current Standing: Third in the 2026 Delaware Park rider standings with 37 victories
* Previous Finish: Third-leading rider at the 2025 Delaware Park meet
* Profile: Multiple graded stakes-placed jockey
The current Delaware Park meet is scheduled to conclude on October 17, giving Chuan a chance to return to race riding six days before the closing date once his 15-day suspension concludes.