Cejay Graham reveals suspension pain after missing out on winter carnival wins

Cejay Graham is back riding after a winter holiday to New Zealand but the disappointment of missing out on some possible big-race wins because of suspension still lingers.

Cejay Graham has opened up about the “gut-wrenching” feeling of watching other jockeys grab the spoils in big races on horses that she would’ve been riding if not for a recent suspension.

Graham returned to riding last Sunday from a 14-day suspension, using the enforced break to holiday in New Zealand with her sister Jess and brother Rory.

She had plenty of fun in picturesque Queenstown on the South Island but she would’ve much preferred to have been riding Miss Joelene in the Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2100m) and The Inflictor in the Tattersall’s Mile at Eagle Farm two weeks ago.

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In the Listed races worth a combined $360,000, Angela Jones steered Miss Joelene to victory and then just 40 minutes later, Graham’s close friend Rachel King won on The Inflictor.

“It was unreal,” Graham said about her holiday to New Zealand, where the self-confessed adrenaline junkie went bungy jumping, snowboarding and jet boating.

“It was a great place to visit and we had a really nice time, although watching all the races while I was out (suspended) was absolutely gut-wrenching.

“That was the only downside but the holiday was great and I got to spend some time with the family as well.

“There’s nothing to say I would’ve won on those horses but it’s definitely disappointing when I’ve been able to stick with those horses all the way through and they salute without you.

“I was definitely pretty sad but if anyone was going to win on the horse (The Inflictor), then I’m glad it was Rachel.”

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Graham revealed that King sent her a heartwarming text message straight after the Sydney-based jockey had won the Gold Crown on the Craig Cousins-trained gelding.

“She just said, ‘I’m so sorry. I told Craig to make sure he puts you back on it, you’ve done a great job with the horse getting him to that race’.

“But that’s just the nature of the game and the way it is.”

Cejay Graham was disappointed to miss some big rides because of suspension. Picture: Trackside Photography

Graham, who rode The Inflictor to 11th place in last month’s $3m Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), has been booked for eight of the nine races at Saturday’s Doomben meeting.

Meanwhile, apprentice Emily Lang’s hopes of catching leader Jones in the Brisbane metropolitan jockeys’ premiership race has been dealt a savage blow after she copped an eight-day suspension this week for careless riding.

Lang sits on 60 wins for the 2024-25 season, just four behind Jones, but will miss at least two metropolitan meetings after being suspended for careless riding on The Right Way during last weekend’s Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast.

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Queensland stewards finalised their inquiry into the matter on Wednesday, when Lang steered the Tony Gollan-trained Deep Vegas to victory at Ipswich to narrow the gap on Jones, who is currently serving a 10-day suspension for careless riding on Floozie in the Tattersall’s Tiara on June 28.

The 24-year-old Lang has been booked for six rides at Doomben on Saturday, including $4.40 favourite Sicilian in a Class 3 for fillies and mares and $2.60 favourite Lockyer in a 2YO Handicap.

Lang will begin her suspension on Monday and be available to ride again from Tuesday, July 22.

Originally published as Cejay Graham reveals suspension pain after missing out on winter carnival wins