Jockey Jason Maskiell turns goldfish breeder during three-month suspension

Jockey Jason Maskiell adopted method of filling in his time that is simply unheard of as he served a three-month suspension for a “brainfade” at Seymour last year.

The humble goldfish played a part in filling a three-month hole in jockey Jason Maskiell’s calendar.

Maskiell has spent the last three months serving a suspension for a “brainfade” when failing to give his horse the best possible result in a race at Seymour in November last year.

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Maskiell pleaded guilty to the offence, copped the suspension on the chin – then went home and started building an empire selling goldfish.

Maskiell has an unusable swimming pool at his recently bought house at Trafalgar in Gippsland.

So, he thought he would put the water to use.

“The pool was really green and had a big crack in it when we bought the house,” Maskiell said.

“It was going to cost too much to fix and we’re not really water people so it was just green and I put 28 goldfish in it.

“They just kept breeding. I’ve ended up selling 394 goldfish.”

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Maskiell also kept in wife Candi’s good books by completing a list of jobs around his house while riding plenty of trackwork at trainer Dan Meagher’s Pakenham stable.

“A person like me, I need to be always doing something so I managed to knock off a lot of jobs around the house so the house is looking good at the moment,” Maskiell said.

“It’s been good. I really enjoyed doing it.”

Jason Maskiell, who will return from a three-month suspension at Thursday night's Pakenham meeting, was selling goldfish during his time out. Main picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Maskiell remained philosophical about his suspension, which he said was the result of not having his mind on the job when riding My Schieller Wood, who was beaten more than 20 lengths in the Seymour race.

He said his lack of vigour on the Stephen Brown-trained My Schieller Wood was a mistake that compounded itself when he relaxed when he thought the horse was no longer a winning chance.

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“At the end of the day, I just had a brainfade, it’s as simple as that,” Maskiell said.

“My little fella (Colt) broke his collarbone the day before so we were up with him and my mind just wasn’t meant to be where it was.

“We’re parents that thought we could never have a baby so we’re probably over-protective and it weighed on my mind a lot.

“I feel OK with it because I know it was just a mistake.”

Maskiell will have his first ride back for Meagher aboard Midori Mover at Pakenham on Thursday night.

He said that mount was the result of eight weeks’ work but could also herald the start of an enjoyable partnership.

“I strongly believe Dan is going to be in my corner big time and hopefully it can pay off big time,” Maskiell said.

“He’s just a really nice guy and a good person and I speak to him most days away from racing as well.

“It just shows how good a character he is because I’m not a fan of trackwork but I really enjoy going out there to ride work for Dan.

“He’s given me rides on Thursday, Friday and Saturday so it’s good that I’m now able to get rides for the hard work that I’ve put in.”

Originally published as Jockey Jason Maskiell turns goldfish breeder during three-month suspension