Racing Victoria ban high-profile jockeys for three months after illegal gathering

Racing Victoria have banned four high-profile jockeys following an illegal gathering which left blood and wine stains smeared on the floors.

Four high-profile jockeys have been handed three-month bans from Racing Victoria following an illegal gathering in Mornington.

Jamie Kah, Ben Melham, Ethan Brown and Celine Gaudray were fined more than $5000 by Victoria Police following a Covid-19 breach south of Melbourne.

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According to The Herald Sun, the quartet attended a luxury Airbnb holiday house with two other people after the 9pm greater Melbourne curfew, defying the State Government stay at home directions.

The report claimed Kah had been had been living on and off at the property following difficulties in her relationship with fiance Clayton Douglas.

The Daily Mail revealed that a cleaner found what she believed to be blood stains and wine marks smeared on the floors and the couch.

Several other workers were required to scrub the three-level property, according to the report.

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

“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.”

Victoria Racing subsequently slapped all four jockeys with three-month suspensions.

The ban commenced on Thursday, August 26 and will expire on Thursday, November 25, meaning they will miss the spring carnival.

Cleaners attend the Airbnb where Jamie Kah was found.

More cleaners attend the Airbnb.

“These allegations are beyond disappointing – they’re actually mind boggling,” Victorian Racing Minister Martin Pakula 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.”

According to a NewsCorp report, Kah’s ban could cost Melbourne’s premier jockey more than $300,000 in prizemoney.

Kah said in a statement on Friday afternoon: “I want to apologise for my recent behaviour in breaching the government and racing Covid rules.

“I am deeply embarrassed and disappointed with myself.

“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.”

Invincible Caviar ridden by Jamie Kah. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Melham had previously been banned by Racing Victoria for five months in December 2020 after betting on races and providing misleading information to stewards.

Racing Victoria chief executive Giles Thompson endorsed the sanctions laid on the four jockeys.

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

“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.”