Jockey Justin Huxtable to remain banned after failing to show cause following serious police charges

Jockey Justin Huxtable will be unable to ride while his court matter plays out over charges that were laid following a complaint from a young female in North Queensland.

Justin Huxtable remains suspended from racing pending a court matter. Picture: Brendan Radke

Jockey Justin Huxtable will remain banned from racing after he failed to show cause as to why he should be allowed to ride while a serious court matter plays out.

Huxtable, 24, was last month charged by North Queensland police following a complaint from a young female. He was arrested after the races at Innisfail on October 25 and immediately stood down from riding by stewards after being charged under section 227A of the Queensland Criminal Code, recording in breach of privacy.

The act states it is illegal for a person to observe or visually records another person in circumstances in which a reasonable adult would expect to be afforded privacy.

After the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission served Huxtable a show cause notice over the matter, he responded with legal representation. However he was unable to argue that he should be allowed to continue racing while the mater plays out in court.

The Australian Rule of Racing 23(a) gives stewards the power to stand down any participant that might pose an unacceptable risk of prejudicing the image, interests, integrity or welfare of racing.

Justin Huxtable will front Cairns Magistrates Court next week. Picture: Liam Kidston

In a statement, QRIC’s acting deputy commissioner Kim Kelly said stewards will continue to uphold the rules of racing.

“One of QRIC’s critical responsibilities is to maintain the integrity of racing. Accordingly, the jockey is suspended from all activities related to thoroughbred racing

until the court process is complete,” he said.

He will front the Cairns Magistrates Court on November 18 for the first time.

Racenet understands the alleged incident occurred in Cairns earlier this year around the time of the Cairns Cup carnival.

The maximum penalty for the offence carries three years in prison.

The Brisbane-based jockey has ridden 419 winners in his career to date and had become a regular fly-in, fly-out jockey to North Queensland lately.

The South Australian-born jockey was crowned Queensland Apprentice of the Year in 2020-2021.

Originally published as Jockey Justin Huxtable to remain banned after failing to show cause following serious police charges