Jockey Dale Evans banned after placing more than 2000 bets over five-month period

A jockey has been banned after placing more than 2000 bets with a corporate bookmaker in a five-month period.

Queensland jockey Dale Evans copped a six-month suspension for placing bets on thoroughbred racing.

A Queensland jockey has been banned after betting reports showed he had placed more than 2000 bets with a corporate bookmaker in a five-month period.

The investigation by stewards showed 47 of those bets were on Australian thoroughbred races.

Dale Evans, who primarily rides in central Queensland, was charged by stewards under racing rules after they conducted an investigation into betting reports provided by Ladbrokes and Neds.

Evans was charged under Australian Racing Rule 115 (1)(c), which relates to jockey misconduct, specifically section C which specifies a jockey must not “have any interest in a bet, or facilitate a bet, on any thoroughbred race or contingency relating to thoroughbred racing in any jurisdiction anywhere in the world.”

“The specifics of the charge were as follows: That as a licensed jockey with the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission that between 22 July 2023 and 20 December 2023 he did place 2042 bets with wagering service providers ‘Neds’ and ‘Ladbrokes’ on thoroughbred racing throughout the world, of which 47 of those bets were on Australian races,” the stewards’ report reads.

Evans entered a guilty plea and stewards considered the following:

■ Evans’ plea of guilty to the charge and “full admissions”

■ Evans’ time in the thoroughbred racing industry as a jockey, being approximately 14 years

■ Evans’ disciplinary history, noting Evans had no prior breach of the betting rules

■ The gravity of the rule breach

■ The need to maintain the integrity of thoroughbred racing and to ensure that all jockeys are compliant with the betting restrictions placed upon them

■ The need for both specific deterrence to Evans and general deterrence to the wider industry

■ Relevant penalty precedents

■ The Human Rights Act 2019

■ Evans’ current personal circumstances

■ Thoroughbred Racing Minimum Penalty Guidelines

“Accordingly, stewards determined that the appropriate penalty for the breach be a six-month licence suspension from riding in races,” the stewards’ report read.

“Stewards ordered that the suspension commence as of midnight 27 April 2024, which is at the conclusion of a current suspension period being served.

“Evans was advised of his right of appeal.”

Originally published as Jockey Dale Evans banned after placing more than 2000 bets over five-month period