Racing Integrity Commission Takes Action After Viral Footage
Two young Australian apprentice jockeys have received significant racing bans after compromising videos surfaced online showing one rider apparently consuming white powder. The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission handed down the penalties following an extensive investigation into the incident that has rocked the racing community.
Amy Graham received a six-month suspension after being identified as the jockey seen in the video allegedly snorting a substance from a saucer in her home. The footage shows her standing up afterwards, smiling and waving two fingers at the camera. She later claimed the substance was cocaine during the official inquiry.
False Testimony Compounds Offences
The disciplinary case took a more serious turn when both riders were found to have provided misleading evidence to stewards. Sophie Wilcock, the second apprentice involved, received a three-month ban for giving false testimony about her knowledge of the incident.
Initially, Ms Wilcock told investigators she hadn't witnessed any cocaine consumption at Ms Graham's residence. However, stewards confronted her with video evidence showing her present during the recording. This contradiction proved damaging to her case and contributed to her suspension.
All three jockey apprentices were stood down in September when the videos first emerged publicly. The third rider, Casey Waddell, continues to face ongoing proceedings related to conduct prejudicial to racing's image.
Stewards Deliver Strong Verdict
In their official report, racing stewards emphasised that despite the incident occurring in a private setting, the subsequent public distribution of the footage had significantly damaged the sport's reputation. They noted that Ms Graham was clearly identifiable in the video and rejected her claim that she hadn't known she was being filmed.
The stewards' report stated: "While the conduct occurred in a private setting, the subsequent publication of the footage identifying Ms Graham as a licensed participant has prejudiced the image and reputation of the racing industry."
They also found her evidence about requesting deletion of the recording unconvincing, describing her false testimony as "deliberate" and undermining the inquiry's fact-finding process.
Ms Graham pleaded not guilty to both charges against her: engaging in conduct prejudicial to racing's image and providing false evidence. Her licence suspension includes a provision that could reduce the final two months of her ban if certain conditions are met.
The case continues for Ms Waddell, while the racing community reflects on the serious consequences facing young professionals who breach integrity standards.
