Michelle Payne fined by Racing Victoria over tweet directed at owner Brae Sokolski
Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne has been fined by racing officials over a tweet that a Derby horse’s owner said had “sullied” his reputation.
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Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne has been fined over her social media outburst in which she called the owner of a leading Victoria Derby hope a “pig”.
Racing Victoria today revealed it had fined Payne $1000 after questioning her over Tuesday’s comments.
Payne pleaded guilty to Australian Rule of Rule Racing 228 (d) which states:
“A person must not engage in publishing or posting on any social media platform or channel any material, content or comment that is obscene, offensive, defamatory, racist, threatening, harassing, discriminatory or abusive to or about any other person involved in the racing industry.”
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Earlier today Sokolski issued a statement in which he said Payne “needs to be and will be held to account to ensure a lesson is learnt”.
Payne, Australia’s most famous female jockey, yesterday launched a stinging defence of Linda Meech after she was dumped from Derby contender Thought Of That, labelling managing owner Sokolski a “pig” over the decision.
Sokolski does not intend to pursue legal action over the comments.
But he today issued a statement in response, saying while others were entitled to their opinion on the change of rider, Payne had overstepped the mark.
“You are not entitled to challenge the right of an owner to make that decision,” his statement read.
“You are most certainly not entitled to accuse or even imply insidious motives for that decision without any evidence whatsoever.
“And above all they are not entitled to defame and personally abuse an owner for that decision.”
Sokolski revealed Payne’s comments had deeply upset his family.
“I’ve spent my life building a reputation in the business and racing communities for acting with integrity, decency, fairness and respect,” he said.
“To have this reputation now sullied by an impetuous and reckless act is deeply upsetting, not just to myself but to those close to me.
“My family were understandably distraught to see media coverage of me that included a photo accompanied by headlines referencing “pig” ... I love this industry and invest heavily, not only in a financial sense but also of my time and energy in promoting it.”
Leading Victorian jockey Meech, who sits atop the premiership leaderboard after winning a maiden state title last season, was axed hours after riding the colt at track work yesterday.
Meech had delivered connections Thought Of That’s only two wins in consecutive starts.
The “unpopular” decision to go with jockey Mark Zahra – a winner of 15 Group 1s – over Meech was roundly criticised but Sokolski stood by the call, made on behalf of a “majority” of the owners.
Payne reacted savagely on Twitter, responding to Sokolski assertion that booking jockeys isn’t a “decision for the public”.
“Not for the public to decide but the public can recognise you as a pig,” Payne wrote on social media, before later deleting the tweet.
Payne, who in 2015 became the first female jockey in history to win the Melbourne Cup with $100-shot Prince Of Penzance, doubled down with a flurry of additional posts.
“One of the most ruthless decisions made,” Payne continued.
Just an opinion Terry. That’s how he comes across 🤷ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸ Linda has feelings too and has ridden that horse to perfection last 2 starts. Suits the horse. Yes they pay the bills and have the right to decisions but there’s also being a human. Loyalty in this game is very disappointing.
— Michelle Payne (@mj_payne) October 29, 2019
Yes I thought the same thing. It’s so disappointing. But even more so when the horse has been ridden to perfection and looks unbeatable. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for Linda. She’s earnt it.
— Michelle Payne (@mj_payne) October 29, 2019
“Zahra wasn’t teaching the horse to be racehorse at Donald two starts back when he was striking and roaring at the other runners behind the barriers. Disgraceful!
“Linda has feelings too and has ridden that horse to perfection last 2 starts.
“ … Yes they (owners) pay the bills and have the right to decisions but there’s also being a human. Loyalty in this game is very disappointing … she’s earnt it.”
Payne and Meech have led Victorian women’s jockeys’ ranks for “nearly 20 years”.
A proud campaigner for women’s rights, Payne famously scolded the male-dominated racing establishment after her Cup triumph.
“It’s such a chauvinistic sport, a lot of the owners wanted to kick me off,” Payne said in her post-race interview.
But yeah let’s have Linda come in early trackwork to give him the final gallop for Saturday before we tell her.... #ordinary
— Kathy O'Hara (@Kathy_ohara) October 29, 2019
“Everyone else can get stuffed (who) think women aren’t good enough.”
Derby contender Thought Of That surged into $4 TAB second favourite for the 2500m stallion-making race after a runaway 3.5 length win at Caulfield under Meech last start.
It was a second consecutive win with Meech aboard, the horse’s only two victories from seven career starts.
Meech could not be raised yesterday but is said to be “disappointed” about losing the ride.
Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace wanted Meech to ride the colt and lobbied owners accordingly.
Oh dear 😳 but Linda has won two straight on the horse (most recent runs) and no male jockey has ever won on the horse. Thought of That? https://t.co/z3NWekAM8B
— Jo McKinnon 🴠(@Jo_McKinnon) October 29, 2019
But managing owner Sokolski was “convinced” about the decision to dump Meech.
“I know it’s a personal blow to her (Meech) and I don’t take those decisions lightly,” Sokolski said.
“It’s not in my nature to be ruthless but it is in my nature to be pragmatic and that’s the bottom line.
“I’m convinced it’s the right decision for the horse and the ownership group and we’re dealing with a very valuable commodity in a high-stakes race.”
Zahra rode the horse on debut, six months ago, but only in track work recently.
“I want to make sure we’ve got someone in the saddle that’s got this vast experience at Group 1 level and high pressure races, which Mark does and Linda doesn’t,” Sokolski said.
Meech galloped Thought Of That yesterday at Caulfield just hours before getting sacked.
Sokolski said the decision was made after final acceptances on Tuesday.
“We weren’t just letting her go around for the sake of it,” Sokolski said.
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“ … I know I’m probably getting lambasted on Twitter but so be it.”
Co-trainer David Eustace said the stable had urged owners to retain Meech.
“We hoped that she’d take the ride … we certainly made our opinions felt but as trainers as there’s only so much we can do, he’s our horse to train but he’s not our horse to own,” Eustace said.
“Unfortunately it does get taken out of your hands at that stage.”
It’s incredible that a four-length win wasn’t enough for Linda Meech to retain the ride on Thought Of That, she’s one of the best frontrunning jockeys going around 🤦â€â™‚ï¸
— Christopher (@TheNoochHS) October 29, 2019
The connections of Thought of That need to buy a full length mirror and have a good hard look at themselves 🤬 imagine sacking Linda Meech after she rides it a treat last start. If ever there was a perfect combo it’s her & that horse 🤦ðŸ»â€â™‚ï¸ absolute rubbish decision 🤬🤬🤬
— Nick Cahill (@nickcahill9) October 28, 2019
Tarcoola has enjoyed watching the rise of Thought Of That through the ranks with his brilliant recent wins. We have also admired the great riding of him by Linda Meech who understands his assets very well. We are now very disappointed that she will not be riding him next time.
— Tarcoolastud (@Tarcoolastud) October 29, 2019
Linda Meech gives Thought of that a great ride in the Caulfield stakes and then gets dumped off for the Zahra in the derby. But why... #pleaseexplain #vicderby
— Kyal Thompson (@King_Kyal16) October 29, 2019
The decision to replace Linda Meech on Thought Of That is completely baffling. I just don't get it. #horseracing
— Stephen Rodgers (@Steve_Rodgers) October 28, 2019
Linda Meech proves you don't have to be dead to be stiff. Rode Though Of That beautifully last two starts, yet replaced by Mark Zahra for Saturday's VRC Derby.
— Daniel Miles (@danielmiles) October 29, 2019
– with Lauren Wood