Melbourne Cup-winning owner Brae Sokolski fined $10,000 for Covid breach at Flemington

Prominent owner Brae Sokolski has been fined for breaking Covid-19 rules after Verry Elleegant’s victory in the Melbourne Cup.

Brae Sokolski was fined $10,000 for a Cup Day Covid breach. Picture: Getty Images

Brae Sokolski, a part-owner of Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant, has been fined $10,000 for a breach of Racing Victoria’s Covid-19 protocols.

The prominent owner in jubilation jumped into the Flemington mounting yard after Verry Elleegant’s breathtaking Cup victory.

Sokolski, who has interests in some of the best horses in Australia including Melbourne Cup runner-up Incentivise, entered the mounting yard — yellow zone — when not authorised or permitted to do so.

Sokolski pleaded guilty to the breach of racing rules.

Sokolski access on race day was limited to the “green zone” – Flemington lawn area.

While in the mounting yard, Sokolski also failed to wear a face mask which is a requirement for all persons in the yellow zone.

Under longstanding RV Covid-19 protocols, access to the mounting yard has been strictly capped and controlled to reduce the risk of industry participants being exposed to Covid.

Flemington’s application to host crowds at the Melbourne Cup Carnival hinged on its ability to ensure people remained only in their allocated zone.

Sokolski celebrating after Verry Elleegant won the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Getty Images

Stewards took into account Sokolski’s unblemished record when determining a penalty.

“The Stewards also took into consideration the nature of the offending, the potential ramifications that could flow from a breach of Racing Victoria’s Covid-19 Protocols, and that the penalty must be sufficient enough to deter others from breaching the Covid-19 Protocols,” RV said in a statement.

News Corp Australia contacted Sokolski for comment on Thursday.

Sokolski was apologetic about the breach after the Cup.

“(I’m) apologetic about the protocols, but I wanted to be with the mare and Incentivise,” Sokolski said.

“Sorry, the adrenaline got the better of me. These moments are once in a lifetime.”

The Verry Elleegant and Incentivise owners hosted a lavish after-party in Melbourne on Tuesday night.

Originally published as Melbourne Cup-winning owner Brae Sokolski fined $10,000 for Covid breach at Flemington