QRIC says jockey Luke Tarrant still banned despite having headbutt penalty altered at QCAT

Luke Tarrant had his penalty for headbutting a rival jockey downgraded at QCAT but QRIC is interpreting the verdict differently.

Luke Tarrant had his headbutt disqualification amended to a suspension. Picture: AAP

Queensland jockey Luke Tarrant had his disqualification for headbutting a rival jockey quashed – but integrity officials say it will not change a thing.

Tarrant appealed his six-month disqualification for headbutting and verbally abusing Larry Cassidy at Doomben in April last year, and the matter has now been heard by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

QCAT quashed Tarrant’s disqualification and amended the decision to a six-month suspension.

Suspended jockeys, while not able to ride in races, can almost always earn a living by riding in trackwork, trials and jumpouts.

For instance, Ben Thompson is currently doing just that after being slapped with a four-month suspension for his part in an alleged horse identity concealment saga in Victoria.

While he cannot ride in races while suspended, Thompson has been a regular at trackwork and trials including riding Group 1 comeback star Rothfire in a Doomben trial last week.

However QRIC acting commissioner Paul Brown told News Corp that the QCAT member who altered Tarrant’s penalty had not stipulated the terms of the jockey’s suspension.

Therefore, QRIC has adopted the position that Tarrant is suspended form riding in trials, jumpouts and at trackwork.

Jockey Larry Cassidy copped a headbutt from Luke Tarrant. Pic – AAP.

The impact is Tarrant’s suspension is effectively the same as his original disqualification.

“Pursuant to the Australian Rules Of Racing, a rider cannot ride in any race, official trial, jumpout or trackwork during the period of their suspension except if the terms of the rider’s suspension are that the rider is suspended from riding in races only,” Brown said.

“The Tribunal decision has not stipulated any terms of respect of the suspension of Mr Tarrant’s license, therefore Mr Tarrant is unable to ride in any race, official trial, jumpout or trackwork during the period of his suspension.”

It is understood Tarrant is now considering his legal options.

And QRIC said it is also considering its prospects in respect of any appeal of the QCAT finding.

The stewards’ report from the day of the incident last year noted Tarrant’s helmet struck Cassidy on the nose, injuring the jockey.

Tarrant has been riding on a stay of proceedings but that stay has now been lifted by QCAT.

Tarrant, whose most lucrative career win was the 2015 Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic on Le Chef, has had a colourful career.

The former star apprentice has been in trouble with police in the past including when being found guilty of drugs-related charges in court.

Originally published as QRIC says jockey Luke Tarrant still banned despite having headbutt penalty altered at QCAT