Horse trainer and jockey Tasha Chambers to fight lengthy ban for failing to provide a urine sample

Rockhampton horse trainer and jockey Tasha Chambers has spoken publicly for the first time since being hit with a 12-month ban, saying she will "vigorously fight" it.

Rockhampton horse trainer and jockey Tasha Chambers says she will “vigorously fight” a 12-month disqualification imposed for failing to provide a urine sample.

The Queensland Racing and Integrity Commission on Friday, October 22, said the dual licensee was found guilty under the rules of racing after she failed to provide a urine sample as directed by the stewards at Longreach on September 25.

As a result, Chambers, 42, is not permitted to enter or start a horse in any race effective immediately, and she has seven days to transfer horses out of her care.

Stewards have allowed Chambers in the interim to continue to tend to the horses and their welfare.

At the end of the 12-month penalty, Chambers must provide a sample free of any banned substances before she can apply to be relicensed.

The disqualification means Chambers cannot train or ride in that period.

Jockey Tasha Chambers was all smiles after winning a Class B Handicap at Yeppoon Turf Club on February 1, 2020.

Chambers said she would be appealing the ban handed down by QRIC.

She said she had spoken to a legal representative and also to the Australian Jockeys Association about the matter.

“I will be vigorously fighting the charge and can’t make any more comment other than that until I have another debrief with my legal counsel,” Chambers said.

The disqualification comes as a big blow to the young trainer after she recently celebrated her first win in that discipline when The Graduate won at Rockhampton on October 5.

The four-year-old gelding has since been transferred to the stable of Rockhampton trainer Ricky Vale.

Jockey Tasha Chambers.

In her fledgling training career to date, Chambers has had four runners, the first of those being at Rockhampton back in August.

She has been a jockey for more than 15 years, having ridden more than 200 winners in her career, mostly on the provincial Queensland circuit.