Transgender jockey Tyler Leslight banned for racist remark to fellow hoop

Tyler Leslight pleaded guilty to directing a racist remark towards a fellow jockey after the running of a race at Townsville.

Tyler Leslight.

Transgender jockey Tyler Leslight has been banned for four weeks after admitting to saying a racist remark towards a fellow jockey.

A QRIC stewards’ report, made public on Sunday, said the incident happened at the Townsville race meeting on May 25 this year.

Jockey Wanderson D’Avila, riding Wicklow Lass, complained to stewards after the racist remark was allegedly said by Leslight “at the completion of the race”.

Leslight’s mount, Catalina Dreaming, finished third, while Wicklow Lass finished fourth.

Leslight was charged under the provisions of AR 228 (e) “Conduct detrimental to the interests of racing” to which he pleaded guilty.

Wanderson D’Avila.

AR 228 (e) reads: “A person must not engage in: (e) conduct which threatens, disparages, vilifies, or insults another person (‘other person’) on the basis, including but not limited to, a person’s race, religion, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin, special ability/disability, or sexual orientation, preference, or identity while the other person is acting in the course of his or her duties in the racing industry.”

* Transgender jockey finds acceptance in title-winning season

Leslight’s licence to ride in races was suspended for six weeks with two weeks of that period wholly suspended for two years “under the proviso that apprentice Leslight does not reoffend under a similar rule in that time.”

Leslight has been rubbed out for four weeks.

“Given his confirmed riding engagements, stewards ruled that this suspension to ride in races is to commence midnight Saturday, June 29, 2024 and conclude midnight Saturday, July 27, 2024,” the stewards report states.

“In assessing penalty, stewards considered Apprentice Leslight’s, guilty plea, his apology and genuine remorse in relation to the matter and that he provided evidence that he had since completed a training course on racial discrimination.”

Leslight was advised of his right of appeal.

Originally published as Transgender jockey Tyler Leslight banned for racist remark to fellow hoop