Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Written by Paul Vettise
Group 1-winning riders Jamie Kah and Ben Melham have been handed three-month suspensions for attending an illegal gathering at Mornington on Wednesday evening.
Their punishments were handed down on Friday following a behind closed doors inquiry by Racing Victoria with jockey Ethan Brown and apprentice Celine Gaudray also receiving identical sentences for the same offence.
The quartet all entered guilty pleas and were also each fined $5342 by Victorian Police after breaking COVID protocols. They were issued with immediate stand down orders from Friday, preventing them attending all licensed premises for 14 days and negative COVID tests must be provided over that period.
They will, however, be able to ride trackwork, jump-outs and official trials once the 14-day period ends on September 9.
Their behaviours has incensed Racing Victoria Chief Executive Officer Giles Thompson.
Giles Thompson | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“These individuals could have put at risk the very continuance of our sport and also blatantly disregarded the broader community implications through their selfish and thoughtless actions, he said.
“These individuals could have put at risk the very continuance of our sport and also blatantly disregarded the broader community implications through their selfish and thoughtless actions.” – Giles Thompson
“While these actions do not reflect the majority, I want to make it extremely clear to all industry participants of the critical need to abide all industry and Government directives, especially as we enter the spring racing carnival period.
“Thank you to those that continue to do the right thing by the industry at all times and I hope this serves as a firm reminder of how fortunate we are to continue racing and the importance of adhering to the protocols.”
Speaking at Friday morning’s COVID press conference, Health Minister Martin Foley said he was bitterly disappointed in the actions of the jockeys.
Kah subsequently issued a statement via Twitter to apologise for her actions.
“I am deeply embarrassed and disappointed in myself. There is no excuse for what I have done and I have let myself down, my family and friends, the racing industry and all Victorians who are doing the right thing in this lockdown,” she said.
“I deserve the penalty handed down by the stewards and will take the time to reflect on my actions and its impact on so many people.”
