Commission hands out misconduct penalties
11 February 2021
Recent misconduct charges have led to a call from Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) stewards for industry participants to keep their behaviour in check or suffer the consequences.
Central Queensland jockey Chris McIver has been disqualified for 12 months after kicking a horse at the barriers before a race in Rockhampton last month.
Mr McIver was found guilty of misconduct after he twice forcibly stomped on the hindquarter of his mount ‘Or Else’.
Chief Thoroughbred Steward Peter Chadwick said breaches of this kind are very serious and any behaviour involving the mistreatment of a thoroughbred racehorse must meet with a significant penalty.
“The penalty must not only deter Mr McIver but must also illustrate to the racing industry that these actions are not to be tolerated,” he said.
“In this case Mr McIver also had two recent breaches of the misconduct rule in 2019 and 2020.”
Also in Central Queensland jockey Nigel Seymour was found guilty of misconduct and disqualified for nine months after sending threatening text messages to a licensed trainer.
In another incident, Brisbane based jockey Nathan Thomas pleaded guilty to misconduct and was suspended for two weeks after an incident before a race in Mackay this week.
During the barrier loading process, jockey Thomas was dislodged and then forcibly struck his mount ‘Whosday’ with his whip in the region of the horse’s shoulder.
In a further misconduct incident, this time at Emerald, Central Queensland stable-hand Nick Trimble pleaded guilty to misconduct and was disqualified for three months. While unsaddling ‘Dirt Rich’ following the running of race two at Emerald on 6 February, Mr Trimble forcibly struck the horse in the girth.
Mr Chadwick said all of these incidents had a detrimental effect on the image of racing, and penalties must serve as a general deterrent to illustrate to the racing industry that these activities are unacceptable.
Media Contact Vincene Overs 0472 842 346
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