EXCLUSIVE: Jamie Evans’ sexual abuse allegation against trainer Gerald Ryan headed to court-ordered mediation

A historical sexual abuse allegation against leading trainer Gerald Ryan forms part of a broader civil claim by former jockey Jamie Evans, who claims three other men subjected him to degrading initiation rituals when he was an apprentice in the 1980s.

Former jockey Jamie Evans has launched a civil suit against leading trainer Gerald Ryan over historic sexual abuse allegations. Pictures: David Caird, File

An explosive sexual abuse allegation levelled by former jockey Jamie Evans against top racing identity Gerald Ryan will head to Supreme Court-ordered mediation next week.

Evans is suing Ryan, alleging that after he was headbutted by a horse and fell asleep in a car, he woke to discover Ryan performing a sex act on him.

News Corp contacted Ryan this week and asked for his response to the civil action and to Evans’ allegation: “I can’t (comment) … I’m not allowed to,” Ryan replied.

However, Ryan has previously denied the allegations and when police investigated the allegations in 2009, no charges were laid.

The historical allegation is part of a civil claim against Ryan, a multiple Group 1-winning Sydney trainer who was a jockey in Victoria at the time Evans alleges he was abused in the 1980s.

Former jockey Jamie Evans at his home this week. Picture: David Caird

In an unrelated incident not involving Ryan, but which forms part of a broader civil claim, Evans alleges he had a carrot “inserted into my anus” as part of a horrific initiation ritual in a Victorian stable in the 1980s.

Evans, whose life later spiralled out of control, is suing Ryan and the Victoria Racing Club Ltd, with the matter set down for mediation between the parties next week.

The matter is listed for a Victorian Supreme Court trial on April 1.

It is alleged Evans was headbutted by a horse at Geelong in the 1980s, given Panadeine Forte and taken to Ryan’s car.

It is further alleged Evans fell asleep during the drive and woke to discover that the car was stationary and Ryan was performing oral sex on him.

Trainer Gerald Ryan at the Gold Coast Turf Club in 2014. Picture: Luke Marsden

Evans’ legal action claims that he complained to racing officials about the abuse he alleges Ryan perpetrated on him on at least five occasions from the year 2000 onwards.

As part of the civil lawsuit, Evans is also suing Victoria Racing Club Ltd which was responsible for conducting thoroughbred racing in Victoria until 2001.

Evans alleges the VRC was negligent by not exercising a duty of care to prevent him being injured when he was an apprentice jockey.

Evans alleges he was forced to endure degrading initiation rituals after he started as an apprentice jockey in the early 1980s.

He cannot recall the full names of the three stable staff who he alleges subjected him to horrific abuse.

It is alleged that Evans had his pants removed and had hoof grease smeared over his genitals and buttocks.

In another alleged incident, which forms part of the legal claim, Evans claims the same three men removed his pants and “inserted a carrot into my anus.”

Former jockey Jamie Evans. Picture: David Caird

Evans was a jumps jockey for 20 years but says his life took a terrible turn after the alleged abuse.

He has told News Corp if the matter cannot be settled at mediation, he will look forward to his day in court.

News Corp contacted both the Victoria Racing Club and Racing Victoria about Evans’ claims and the legal action.

A Victoria Racing Club spokesperson said: “Any form of abuse in the community is abhorrent and the Victoria Racing Club totally condemns this behaviour in society.

“As the matter is before the court, we will not provide any further comment.”

A Racing Victoria spokesperson said: “As we’ve previously said, no one should experience physical or sexual abuse, assault or harassment, including in their workplace, it is abhorrent, and everyone from employers to colleagues has a role in ensuring that.

“With regard to this specific matter, we are unable to comment given that it is the subject of civil proceedings.”

The upcoming mediation process, ordered by the Supreme Court Of Victoria, is a discussion between the parties.

What is said is kept confidential and discussions are not recorded by the court, with an independent mediator aiming to help the parties identify a range of possible solutions and work towards an agreement.

If the parties agree, any potential settlement agreement can be confidential.

Ryan is currently training in partnership with Sterling Alexiou at Rosehill. In 2022, the pair won the Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick with their galloper Ellsberg.

  

Separate to the allegations against Ryan, in September 2023, then-Victorian Racing Integrity Commission Sean Carroll tabled the report for the Independent Review into Victorian Racing Industry Victim Support and Complaint Processes.

It revealed “devastating accounts of physical and sexual abuse of people across decades, including children and young recruits in the industry”.

“The abuse involves rape, other forms of sexual and physical assault, humiliating initiation practices, ritualised violence, grooming and harassment, including in recent years. Some of this abuse was perpetrated against children as young as 12,” the report stated.

“Almost as damaging as the abuse itself, numerous review participants spoke about racing authorities’ historical inaction in response to their complaints. They expressed distress at the perception of ‘cover-ups’, with reports of harm being ‘swept under the carpet’.”

Last December, abuse survivor Dennis Green criticised the Victorian racing industry for “appalling” delays on delivery of workplace safety recommendations.

Green, a former jockey and track rider in the 1970s, who was subjected to sexual abuse at the Caulfield stable of Geoff Murphy, said victims deserved action.

A spokesman said Racing Victoria had either completed, or absorbed into its business practice where there was an ongoing component required, its work in response to eight of the nine recommendations.

“The remaining recommendation, which relates to restorative engagement, is well advanced in its development and execution,” the Racing Victoria spokesman said.

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Originally published as EXCLUSIVE: Jamie Evans’ sexual abuse allegation against trainer Gerald Ryan headed to court-ordered mediation