Written by Paul Vettise
Adam Hyeronimus’ riding career is in tatters after he was been disqualified for three years and his cousin and stablehand Blake Paine outed for more than two years after they were found guilty of multiple betting offences.
Racing New South Wales stewards announced their verdicts on Tuesday after finding Hyeronimus had an interest in 30 bets on races over a two year period. He was also found guilty of giving false evidence to a stewards' inquiry.
Hyeronimus’ career has come to a shuddering halt just five months after he tasted Group 1 success for the first time when he rode Shout The Bar (Not A Single Doubt) to victory in the Vinery Stud S. for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
In considering his penalty, stewards took into account it was the first time Hyeronimus, 30, had been charged with any betting offence, but he had previously tested positive to a banned substance.
Two of the charges related to Hyeronimus having an interest in a bet in a race in which he rode, receiving two-year penalties for each offence.
He was given another 12-month penalty for having an interest in 28 bets in races in which he did not ride, and a further year for providing false evidence at a stewards' inquiry.
All up, the jockey was banned for six years, but will serve parts of his penalty concurrently, halving the sentence.
Adam Hyeronimus was banned for six years but will serve parts of his penalty concurrently
Paine has been banned for two years and four months.
Hyeronimus had been riding under a stay of proceedings since stewards opened their investigation and on Saturday he was successful aboard Shout The Bar’s stablemate Taikomochi (Snitzel) at Randwick.
He and Paine will begin their respective bans immediately, which means Hyeronimus will forfeit his rides at Canterbury Park on Wednesday, and both have a right of appeal.
