Apprentice Brooke Richardson has failed in an appeal which highlighted the psychological problems jockeys suffer after race falls.
Racing Queensland stewards suspended Richardson for four months for her handling of Raeburn in a race at Eagle Farm on March 22.
She appealed severity but her defence that her judgment was impaired after a recent fall was rejected by the Queensland Racing Disciplinary Board.
At the appeal Richardson was supported by two sports psychologists who agreed a jockey who had recently suffered a fall might have impaired judgment or decision-making ability.
Jockeys’ advocate Des O’Keeffe asked that the suspension be reduced and Richardson continue to consult a psychologist as required by the board.
However, the appeals board rejected the application.
“We acknowledge a rider who has recently had a fall may tend to ride more conservatively and with added caution,” the QRDB said.
“(However) we cannot accept in this case, given the circumstances of the race, the jockey’s ride and the nature and extent of the available run, that her state of mind was, in any real sense, effective or decisive in her obvious failure.”
QRDB chairman, Bill Carter, said Richardson had clearly failed to give Raeburn every chance in the final 100m.
“A clear run was available to her and when she finally took advantage of it she failed to ride her horse as required,” Carter said.
