Australia’s leading jockey Jamie Kah and three other riders are ‘caught breaking Melbourne’s Covid lockdown for a rowdy Airbnb party’ – after police were ‘tipped off by an estranged boyfriend’
- Four jockeys including top rider Jamie Kah have ben fined for Covid breach
- The jockeys were breaking Melbourne’s curfew and outside of 5km radius
- Police were reportedly called to house after tip-off from estranged partner
Four jockeys including top rider Jamie Kah have been fined for breaching Victoria’s lockdown restrictions by staying at a Mornington Airbnb.
Jamie Kah, Ethan Brown, Ben Melham and apprentice jockey Celine Gaudray were at the Melbourne rental home with two other people on Wednesday night.
Police were called to the Tallis Drive property due to a noise complaint just before midnight, reportedly after a tip-off from an estranged partner of one of the jockeys.
‘Upon arrival officers located six people inside, all allegedly outside their five km radius and in breach of curfew,’ Victoria Police said in a statement.
They have each been fined $5452 for breaching the directions of the Chief Health Officer.
The four jockeys, who are all in isolation, have been banned from race meetings for 14 days meaning Kah and Melham won’t be racing Group 1 Memsie Stakes favourites Behemoth and Beau Rossa respectively at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday.
Champion jockey Jamie Kah (left) and three other riders including apprentice Celine Gaudray (right) have been fined for breaking Melbourne’s lockdown for an Airbnb party
The four jockeys were all outside of their 5km radius and breaking Melbourne’s curfew when they were found at an Airbnb in Mornington Peninsula (stock above), police allege
In a statement on twitter, Kah said she wanted to apologise for her behaviour.
‘I am deeply embarrassed and disappointed with myself,’ she said.
‘There is no excuse for what I have done and I have let myself down, my family and friends, the racing industry and all Victorians who are doing the right thing in this lockdown.’
‘I deserve the penalty handed down by the stewards and will take the time to reflect on my actions and its impact on so many people.’
A two day racing tribunal inquiry into the incident concluded on Friday.
The suspension begins at midnight on 26 August 2021 and expires at midnight on 25 November 2021.
The jockeys have been banned from race meetings and licensed venues for at least two weeks, and until cleared by stewards and negative COVID-19 tests have been provided.
But they will be allowed to do trackwork, jump-outs and official trials after September 9.
Racing Victoria chief executive Giles Thompson on Thursday issued a statement condemning the riders’ actions.
‘These individuals could have put at risk the very continuance of our sport and also blatantly disregarded the broader community implications through their selfish and thoughtless actions,’ he said.
He cautioned the breaches did not reflect the rest of the industry, which was working hard to comply with the rules.
‘To see all of that potentially thrown away by the reckless behaviour of a small few is incredibly disappointing and far from what is expected of our industry participants,’ he said.
He also warned of the ‘critical need’ for the industry to follow COVID-19 directives ahead of the Spring Racing carnival.
Jockey Ben Melham won’t be racing Group 1 Memsie Stakes favourite Beau Rossa at Melbourne’s Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday
Ethan Brown was one of four jockeys stood down for 14 days after alleged Covid breach
RV stewards found the jockeys had breached state government stay-at-home orders, and in so doing the requirements of the racing body.
The jockeys have been banned from race meetings and licensed venues for at least two weeks, and until cleared by stewards and negative COVID-19 tests have been provided.
Victoria’s health minister Martin Foley slammed the jockeys for the alleged breach.
‘We are all bitterly disappointed. We are always disappointed when people do not follow the rules and we understand racing Victoria are taking immediate measures and would take more measures and will send a strong message,’ he said on Friday.
Racing Victoria says more than 750 race meetings have been held safely since the pandemic began.
Last year’s Melbourne Cup carnival was held without spectators at the usually packed Flemington Racecourse.
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