Jockeys sidelined as Covid-19 outbreaks derail Australian sport

A Covid-19 outbreak has struck some of the nation’s top horse jockeys, as the sport joined many others derailed by Omicron.

A Covid-19 outbreak has struck some of the nation’s top horse jockeys in Melbourne over the Christmas weekend, joining a slate of top sporting events derailed by the spread of Omicron.

On Sunday, 12 jockeys who were meant to race at Caulfield were stood down out of “an abundance of caution” after receiving confirmation they all attended a Covid-19 exposure site.

Only three of the 12 jockeys who were meant to race on Sunday tested positive. The jockeys had all attended a packed funeral at a Melbourne church for jockey Chris Caserta, who drowned on the Gold Coast earlier this month.

“The decision (was made) to stand them all down to conduct a little more further testing to get through that incubation period,” Victorian Jockeys Association CEO Matthew Hyland said.

Another four jockeys, who weren’t racing on Sunday, also tested negative.

The A-League also wasn’t immune to the latest wave of the virus, with a number of Covid-19 cases recorded at clubs.

Earlier this month Perth Glory’s season was brought to a halt with players and staff all forced into two weeks‘ quarantine in Brisbane after a player tested positive in Adelaide – despite no one else in the entourage returning a positive test. .

Following concerns for the players’ physical and mental health an agreement was made between Queensland and Western Australia state governments. for the squad and support staff to be flown home on a chartered flight and permitted to quarantine at home.

Three FFA games have been postponed so far due to this latest Covid-19 wave, after six Melbourne City players tested positive as well as members of the Melbourne Victory squad also declared close contacts. All Melbourne City players who tested positive are double vaccinated and in isolation. Another match between Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar was postponed after “complications” arose with a charter flight into NSW.

Ashes and Big Bash cricketers have been banned from signing autographs and mingling with fans after Cricket Australia upgraded Covid-19 protocols.

The heightening of rules was implemented after captain Pat Cummins missed out on the second Test in Adelaide after being deemed a close contact.