Champion jumps jockey Steve Pateman and his wife Jess have expressed their profound disappointment and devastation upon receiving an 11-month disqualification as a result of a cobalt offense.
The disqualification, which was determined during a recent VCAT hearing, is scheduled to commence on June 9. As a consequence, Pateman, a dual license-holder, will be unable to participate in any further jumps races for the remainder of the season. Furthermore, he will be barred from both training and riding at the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival next year.
The charges against the Patemans were initially brought forth by Racing Victoria in 2017 after an elevated cobalt reading was detected in Sir Walter Scott’s pre-race urine test. Since then, the couple has engaged in a protracted legal battle spanning over five years in an effort to vindicate themselves and clear their names.