Queensland apprentice Sariah Champkin charged after alleged dangerous weapon attack on fellow racing participant

A Toowoomba-based apprentice will face court next month after an alleged attack on a fellow racing participant with a dangerous weapon last week.

Apprentice jockey Sariah Champkin is facing two charges over an incident at Toowoomba last week. Picture: Grant Peters—Trackside Photography.

A Queensland apprentice jockey is facing a string of police charges after an alleged attack on a fellow racing participant last week.

It can be revealed the Toowoomba-based Sariah Champkin has been charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm and also one count of wilful damage by Queensland Police following the alleged incident on Wednesday morning.

The incident, where police allege a dangerous weapon was used, occurred at a private residence, in close proximity to Clifford Park racetrack.

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Champkin, who has a background in eventing, had her first professional race ride at Emerald in October 2021 and has been working through her apprenticeship in Toowoomba since then.

It is understood Champkin was in the process of being transferred to a Gold Coast-based trainer.

Apprentice jockey Sariah Champkin was in the process of transferring to a Gold Coast trainer Picture: Supplied

In her short career to date, Champkin has notched up 55 career winners from 439 race starts.

Her last ride, on March 2, was a winning one aboard My Dog Diesel at the Gold Coast.

Just months after kicking off her riding career, Champkin suffered serious injuries after an incident in the mounting yard at Roma, where a horse reared and landed on her when she was a four-kilogram apprentice.

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She suffered four fractures to her pelvis and was flown to Brisbane following the incident.

It is understood Queensland Racing Integrity Commission stewards are awaiting communication from Queensland Police over the matter.

The 23-year-old jockey will face the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on April 3.

Additional reporting from Ben Dorries

Originally published as Queensland apprentice Sariah Champkin charged after alleged dangerous weapon attack on fellow racing participant