Jack Martin and Kayla Nisbet cop bans for improper dealings with professional punter

A day after Tommy Berry’s sensational ban, more jockeys have been rubbed out for dealings with a professional punter by Racing NSW stewards.

Jockey Jack Martin

NSW country jockeys Jack Martin and Kayla Nisbet have become the latest riders sensationally struck out for lengthy stints by Racing NSW stewards over improper dealings with a professional punter.

A day after star rider Tommy Berry was disqualified until 2024 pending an appeal, his sister-in-law Nisbet was hit with a two-month ban while Martin was slapped with a more severe four month and one week disqualification.

Martin was also given an additional six-week suspension for betting on races he wasn‘t involved in while at a licenced venue in the ACT.

Both jockeys’ disqualifications were linked to charges involving pro punter Jacob Hoffman, who was handed a nine month and two week disqualification for multiple offences.

Nisbet made the early decision to plead guilty to two charges after admitting to accepting a $1000 sling from Hoffman following her winning ride on Smuggler’s Bay at Wagga on May 6, 2021.

Nisbet also pleaded guilty to a false evidence charge in relation to the matter.

Hoffman pleaded guilty to two charges relating to Nisbet‘s breach but maintained throughout the inquiry he was unaware it was an offence to provide a jockey with a consideration.

Jockey Kayla Nisbet has been hit with a two month ban Picture: Jenny Evans

“If I knew it was an offence, I wouldn’t have given it to her,” Hoffman said.

Martin and Hoffman appeared together for much of the inquiry with legal assistance from Paul O’Sullivan and Wayne Pasterfield, who had represented Berry 24 hours earlier.

Both parties said they had shared in bets throughout the inquiry but insisted they were strictly involved in other sporting codes including AFL and football.

Stewards found they were both guilty of the serious charge of engaging in conduct that was prejudicial to the image, interests or welfare of racing for slings provided to the jockey.

But Stewards found there wasn’t enough evidence to support a charge that Martin “did have an interest in bets on thoroughbred races by accepting sums of money from Jacob Hoffman”.

All parties have been advised of their right to appeal the decisions.

Meanwhile, Jordan Mallyon has already pleaded guilty to betting on thoroughbred races on the 7 November 2021 and between 23 January 2022 and 25 June 2022, as well as providing misleading evidence to stewards.

Mallyon was charged at the same time as Martin, Nisbet, Berry and Hoffman and is set to be sentenced at another hearing on Friday morning at Racing NSW headquarters.

Originally published as Jack Martin and Kayla Nisbet cop bans for improper dealings with professional punter