Racing Victoria Stewards have this afternoon opened an inquiry into the conduct of licensed jockeys Jamie Kah, Ethan Brown and Ben Melham and apprentice jockey Celine Gaudray upon receipt of information of possible breaches of COVID-19 protocols.
All four jockeys have been given a 14-day ban from race tracks and licensed premises on the advice of the chief health officer.
The jockeys also face significant suspensions once their cases are heard by stewards on Friday and are likely to miss key race days of the Spring Carnival.
The Stewards obtained evidence from all four jockeys and have this evening charged Jamie Kah, Ethan Brown, Celine Gaudray and Ben Melham with breaching AR232(b) which reads as follows:
AR 232 Failure to observe processes and directions of PRAs or Stewards
(b) fail or refuse to comply with an order, direction or requirement of the Stewards or an official
The particulars of the charge are summarised as follows:
- On 25 August 2021, Jamie Kah, Ethan Brown, Ben Melham and Celine Gaudray were present at an “Airbnb” in Mornington after 9pm with two other non-licensed individuals.
- This conduct is in breach of the current State Government Regulations (namely the Stay at Home Directions) which prohibit private gatherings for persons not otherwise living with one another. The conduct is also in breach of the imposed curfew for Metropolitan Melbourne.
- Racing Victoria’s COVID Protocols state that any failure to comply with State Government Regulations will be deemed to be a failure or refusal to comply with an order, direction, or requirement of the Stewards or an official.
The Stewards have adjourned the inquiry until 9:30am tomorrow morning, Friday 27 August 2021. A further report will be provided following the conclusion of the inquiry.
Additionally, and acting on advice from Racing Victoria’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), the Stewards have advised all four jockeys that they are not to attend any licensed premises or race meetings, with immediate effect, for a period of at least 14 days (concluding on 9 September 2021) and not until clearance is provided by the Stewards and negative COVID-19 tests have been provided.