Racing NSW Integrity officials have disqualified registered owner Jamie Carruthers for five months following an investigation into a social media post that was deemed prejudicial to the image, interests, and welfare of the Thoroughbred racing industry.
The incident came to light on 21 January 2025, when Racing NSW Integrity was alerted to a post circulating on Facebook and Instagram. The post, which was allegedly made on 20 January 2025, depicted a Thoroughbred horse being educated in a round yard at a property in Heatherbrae, NSW. Further scrutiny revealed that the Facebook and Instagram accounts responsible for the post belonged to Carruthers, a registered owner with over 1,400 Facebook friends, including both industry and non-industry participants.
The post, along with subsequent comments made by Carruthers in response to members of the public, was viewed a total of 3,600 times. Racing NSW Investigators determined that the comments were improper and damaging to the integrity and reputation of the sport.
On 21 January, investigators visited the Heatherbrae property and examined a two-year-old colt. Carruthers was interviewed and admitted to being the user of the social media accounts in question. The following day, Stewards charged him under AR228(a) for engaging in conduct detrimental to the interests of racing.
Hearing and Penalty
A hearing was conducted today, during which a brief of evidence compiled by Racing NSW Investigator Ben Lavorato was presented. Carruthers provided oral evidence and pleaded guilty to the charge.
Stewards found Carruthers guilty of engaging in conduct prejudicial to the image, interests, integrity, or welfare of racing. In determining the penalty, they considered several factors, including his guilty plea, his expression of remorse, his 40-year history as a master farrier and Thoroughbred horse breaker, and the need for both specific and general deterrence to protect the industry’s reputation.
Initially, a six-month disqualification of Carruthers’ license was proposed. However, taking into account his guilty plea and other mitigating factors, Stewards reduced the penalty to five months. The disqualification period will commence on 7 February 2025 and expire on 7 July 2025, allowing Carruthers seven days to make arrangements for the transfer of ownership of his horse.
Carruthers was advised of his right to appeal the decision.
Relevant Rules
The charge against Carruthers falls under AR228(a), which states that a person must not engage in conduct prejudicial to the image, interests, integrity, or welfare of racing, whether or not such conduct occurs on a racecourse.
This case underscores Racing NSW’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and reputation of the Thoroughbred racing industry, particularly in the face of social media’s growing influence. The penalty serves as a reminder to all industry participants of the importance of responsible conduct, both online and offline.
