Jamie Kah: Top jockey was having relationship problems before Covid breach

Star jockey Jamie Kah was having relationship difficulties in the lead up to an illegal Airbnb gathering in coastal Victoria.

Australia’s record breaking jockey Jamie Kah’s relationship with her fiance was on the rocks before a “mind boggling” Covid-19 rule breach.

The nation’s greatest female jockey has been banned from racing for three months for breaking curfew rules and will miss the Spring Racing Carnival.

It’s understood that Kah, 25, had been living on and off at a $500 a night Airbnb in Mornington in recent weeks following difficulties in her relationship with fiance Clayton Douglas.

Police were called to the home following a noise complaint at 11.50pm on Wednesday, where they found Kah, and fellow jockeys Ben Melham, Ethan Brown and Celine Gaudray.

There were two other people there, police said.

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It was unclear on Friday why the fellow jockeys had visited the Mornington home, but the Airbnb was not hired specifically to host a party in breach of lockdown rules.

Racing Victoria slapped all four jockeys, who each pleaded guilty to stewards’ charges, with three-month bans.

Jamie Kah after riding Deep Speed to win Race 2, the Neds Filter Form Handicap, during Melbourne Racing at Caulfield Racecourse on July 10, 2021 in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

Kah, who in July made history when she became the first jockey to win 100 metropolitan races in a season, was distraught.

“I am deeply embarrassed and disappointed with myself,” she said in a statement.

“There is no excuse for what I have done and I have let myself down, my family and friends, the racing industry and all Victorians who are doing the right thing in this lockdown.

“I deserve the penalty handed down by the stewards and will take the time to reflect on my actions and its impact on so many people.”

Melham did not return calls on Friday, with his phone going straight to messagebank.

It was not the first time he had been in front of Racing Victoria stewards.

He was banned for five months in December 2020 for betting on races and providing misleading information to stewards.

Melham placed $17,600 worth of bets through his partner Karlie Dale’s account in that incident.

Kah rode winners whose prize money totalled more than $16 million in the 2021 racing season.

Cleaners attend the Airbnb where Jamie Kah was found with fellow jockeys.

Jockeys earn five per cent of winnings, giving her an $800,000 cut, along with up to $200,000 in fees for her more than 700 rides.

The three-month ban comes ahead of the Spring Racing Carnival, including the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups, the Cox Plate and the Caulfield Guineas.

That leaves a hole in her earnings of up to $300,000, which could be more depending on race results.

Kah spoke about a farm that she and Mr Douglas were working on in an interview in July.

She said it was a “big part of her happiness”.

However, it is understood in recent weeks that the relationship between the couple had become difficult.

Victorian Racing Minister Martin Pakula slammed the jockeys on Friday.

“These allegations are beyond disappointing – they’re actually mind boggling,” he said.

“We all need to do our bit to get infections down so that we can open businesses and schools and get crowds back to events – including the spring carnival – and industry participants should be setting an example. To think that some would, instead, put all of that at risk is just infuriating.”

Jockey Ben Melham after he rode Streets of Avalon to victory in race 6, the Pfd Food Services Futurity Stakes, during Blue Diamond Stakes Day at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne in February 22, 2020. Picture: AAP

Victoria Police said in a statement: “Officers were called to the property on Tallis Drive following reports of a noise complaint about 11.50pm.

“Upon arrival, officers located six people inside, all allegedly outside their 5km radius and in breach of curfew.

“All have been issued with a $5452 infringement notice for breaching chief health officer directions.”

Kah amassed about $2.6m prize money for the connections of 24 winners during the corresponding period (of her ban) last year, including 13 stakes or auction-housed restricted events.

Jockeys are entitled to five per cent of any prize money won – paid down to 10th place.

Her breakout spring was a catalyst for Kah to become the most sought-after jockey in the state and post a Victorian record 105 city winners last season.

Due to the unparalleled success Kah was in line for an even stronger spring, as trainers and owners of leading Group 1 chances scrambled to book the 25-year-old star.

But Racing Victoria chief executive Giles Thompson on Friday endorsed the severity of sanctions laid on the four jockeys including high-profile Kah.

“I think the penalty of three months from race riding is a very, very significant penalty,” Mr Thompson said.

“Not least because we’re on the eve of the Spring Racing Carnival and therefore this will take in and beyond all the feature races of the Spring Carnival.

“There is no ability to be paid to ride and no opportunity to earn any prize money for three months during our busiest and most lucrative time of year, this is a very significant penalty.”

While not yet in an official capacity as yet, due to the constraints of Covid restrictions, Kah was expected to be the face of the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Kah, who regularly rides and works horses at Mornington with Douglas, has evolved as a mentor, role model and when possible, driver for Goudray, who is without a car of her own.

The suspended jockeys have three days to lodge an appeal before the Victorian Racing Tribunal.