Victorian Jockeys’ Association won’t abandon five riders caught in Airbnb breach

The Victorian Jockeys’ Association has vowed to support five of its members caught in an embarrassing Covid rule breach at an Airbnb property.

Jamie Kah was one of five jockeys caught breaching Victoria’s Covid rules at a Mornington Peninsula property. Picture : Getty Images.

The Victorian Jockeys’ Association has declared it won’t abandon the five jockeys banned for the spring in the wake of the Airbnb saga.

Top jockeys Jamie Kah, Ben Melham and Mark Zahra were among five riders banned for three months after they were caught breaching Victoria’s Covid restrictions at a Mornington Peninsula property last week.

The riders could also face a further penalty if stewards decide to punish the quintet for lying during questioning.

The jockeys’ actions drew furious reactions from other racing participants, Victoria politicians and the wider Victorian community that is struggling under the state’s sixth lockdown in 18 months.

But Victorian Jockeys’ Association chief executive Matthew Hyland said the organisation would support the jockeys through their self-made crises.

“Let’s not forget they have brought this on themselves, but we won’t leave them hanging.” Hyland said.

“The VJA’s role is to support them through this process and hopefully help them come out the other end and learn to make better decisions.

“We have been in constant contact with them since we were made aware of it on Thursday, and we’ll continue to support them through it.”

Hyland said he has personally spoken to all the jockeys involved in the embarrassing incident.

He added the VJA had several ways to assist the jockeys deal with the fallout of their grave errors of judgment.

Mark Zahra was the fifth jockey banned for attending an illegal party on the Mornington Peninsula. Picture: AAP

“We’ve got a jockey assistance program that will be working with all five riders involved in it, alongside the VJA and we’ll do our best to help them through it,” he said.

Media outlets around Australia have especially hammered Kah and Melham with various comment pieces in the wake of their suspensions.

Hyland said such commentary was a reflection of the pair’s profile in racing and Kah’s profile in the broader community since her history-making Melbourne jockeys’ premiership win.

“I simply think, the higher the profile, the higher level of accountability the community sets for individuals,” he said.

“Unfortunately, with a high level of public profile comes a level of accountability and expectation.”

However, Hyland said there was no need for the VJA to release a public statement condemning the actions of the riders.

“We have been fairly quiet because there has been a lot of external noise about it,” Hyland said.

“The simple fact is the government protocols are there for the community and it’s not our expectation that any of our members would breach them.

“However, clearly they have, and the authorities have dealt with it and there’s nothing more to say.”

Originally published as Victorian Jockeys’ Association won’t abandon five riders caught in Airbnb breach