Third Jockey Banned in Racing Integrity Scandal
The Australian racing world has been rocked by another suspension as Casey Waddell becomes the third jockey penalised for her involvement in sharing a controversial video that allegedly showed fellow rider Amy Graham sniffing a white substance. The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission handed Waddell a six-month suspension, with two months suspended, after finding her guilty of breaching conduct rules.
The Video That Sparked the Controversy
The incident centres around a clip that allegedly depicts jockey Amy Graham snorting a white powder from a saucer at her private residence. According to investigations, the recording was made during a gathering on November 16, 2024. The video later circulated online, prompting racing authorities to take action against all three jockeys involved in September.
During Monday's hearing, Waddell maintained her innocence regarding the breach of Australian Rule of Racing AR 228(a), which prohibits conduct prejudicial to racing's image and integrity. She argued that the video was shared privately with a close friend during a moment of emotional distress and that she had explicitly instructed the recipient not to distribute it further.
Stewards Deliver Their Verdict
Despite Waddell's defence that she didn't authorise or participate in the video's wider dissemination, the panel chaired by Queensland chief steward Josh Adams found her guilty. The Commission's report stated that Waddell had recorded the video on her phone showing a licensed participant consuming an illicit substance and chose to share it with another industry licensee.
The panel determined that sharing such material created a clear and foreseeable risk of public circulation. As a licensed participant, Waddell had ongoing obligations to protect racing's reputation, and her decision to distribute the video represented a serious lapse in judgment according to stewards.
Growing List of Suspensions
Waddell joins fellow jockeys Amy Graham, who received a four-month suspension, and Sophie Wilcock, banned for three months, for their roles in the incident. Graham has pleaded not guilty to charges of bringing racing into disrepute and misleading the Commission's inquiry. She claims the video was leaked as part of a vendetta against her and is set to appeal her suspension at a hearing with the Queensland Racing Appeals Panel next Wednesday.
In determining Waddell's penalty, the panel acknowledged several mitigating factors. They accepted that the incident occurred at a private event, that Waddell had shown remorse, and that the video was leaked without her consent. Her suspension has been backdated to commence on September 14, meaning she will be stood down until January 14.
Waddell's last race took place at Aquis Park Gold Coast Poly, where she finished eighth aboard Coco Jewel in the $28,000 Gctc Renew Memberships Now event. The case highlights the increasing scrutiny racing authorities are placing on social media conduct and private behaviour that could damage the sport's public image.
