Angel Monserrate, the bogus amateur jockey who rode 21 times under the pseudonym "Angel Jacobs", has been disqualified for 10 years. Appearing before the Jockey Club disciplinary committee, the Puerto Rican-born 29-year-old admitted breaches of the rules over his application for an amateur rider's permit, and was subsequently banned from all licensed racing establishments in Britain, with immediate effect.

Monserrate, who rode five winners and three placed horses under the name of his wife, Lisa, told the committee that he was "very, very sorry" and that he did it "for the love of racing".

He maintained that he did not intend to apply for any licence to ride when he arrived in Britain last year from America, but that he was encouraged to do so when it became apparent that he was a gifted rider.

Monserrate, currently working in a Cambridge restaurant, said: "Of course I regret what I did, I don't know if the punishment is harsh. I will not appeal."

He added that he hoped to work with horses again in the future, although the Jockey Club ban is recognised by over 70 other racing nations.

Monserrate was exposed as an impostor after enjoying a successful summer as an amateur rider, claiming a 7 lb allowance which had been granted him on his original application to the British Amateur Jockeys' Association (BAJA).

He had applied for an amateur licence under his wife's maiden name, but, having ridden his fifth winner at Beverley in August, a photograph of the jockey was sent to the Amateur Riders' Club of America (ARCA).

The ARCA reported to the BAJA that "Jacobs" was, in fact, Monserrate, the son of Angel Monserrate Snr, himself a former jockey, who is now a work-rider in America, and that Monserrate Jnr was a banned rider.

Monserrate rode in America legally under his own name until 1995 when he failed a drugs test and was banned.

He reapplied for an amateur's licence under the name of Carlos Castro, a world-class marathon runner with whom he shared an apartment.

But he was arrested in November 1996 at Aqueduct racecourse in New York and charged with criminal trespass, tampering with a sporting event and forgery when police became aware that he was riding under a false name.

Monserrate fled to Britain, settling in Cambridge. He rode his first winner on the Willie Musson-trained Bold Faith at Newbury in June.

But the publicity of his subsequent successes ultimately led to his exposure and this 10-year ban.

Lester Piggott yesterday told of his sadness at having to sell part of his collection of trophies and paintings. The collection, including six of his champion jockey trophies, is expected to fetch an estimated £100,000.

Piggott (63), who was once jailed for tax evasion, said much of the collection had been sitting around in boxes at his home.

He said: "I had a lot of stuff and I haven't the room. It's always sad when you lose something, but when you can't put it up . . . there's no point (in keeping it).

"I am attached to all of them . . . but it had to be done sometime."

Paul Carberry will ride 1996 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Call in the Heatequip Chase at Naas tomorrow. He has been booked by trainer Raymond Hurley, who said today: "Imperial Call is in good form and I would expect him to run a big race."

Imperial Call has had two outings this season. He won the Munster National at Limerick and then finished second to Anabatic at Cork.