Victorian jockey banned for selling unapproved safety vests

Jockey Will Gordon has been handed a three-month suspension for supplying and selling unapproved safety vests to fellow riders, as concluded by Racing Victoria (RV) stewards.

The inquiry into the Racelite safety vests, which Gordon had imported from South Africa and sold to nine other jockeys, wrapped up on Thursday. The vests were confiscated from the riders who purchased them, and those jockeys were also fined.

Gordon has reportedly lodged an appeal against his suspension.

RV stewards found Gordon guilty under AR228(b), which pertains to conduct detrimental to the interests of racing:

AR228: Conduct Detrimental to the Interests of Racing

A person must not engage in:

(b) Misconduct, improper conduct, or unseemly behaviour.

“The specifics of the charge indicate that between July 1, 2023, and September 30, 2023, Will Gordon acquired a total of 11 safety vests from South Africa, knowing they were not approved as per AR123,” the stewards’ report stated.

“Furthermore, between July 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, Will Gordon sold 10 safety vests to nine jockeys licensed by Racing Victoria.

“Will Gordon’s actions, as described above, constitute misconduct and/or improper conduct.

“Will Gordon’s license to ride in races is suspended for three months, starting from Thursday, June 20, and ending on September 20, when he may resume riding.”

Gordon also pleaded guilty to a charge under AR188 regarding his obligations concerning safety vests, resulting in fines for additional riders.

He was fined $2000, matching the penalties imposed on jockeys Daniel Stackhouse, Luke Nolen, Arron Lynch, and Matthew Cartwright by RV stewards. Billy Egan was fined $1000 for possessing an illegal vest.

Jockeys are allowed an additional kilogram for their vests when weighing out. Approved safety vests typically weigh about 600 grams, whereas the imitation vests from South Africa are lighter.

RV chief steward Rob Montgomery explained that the charges stemmed from an observation made by a steward.

“A steward noted that Arron Lynch was wearing a non-approved safety vest,” Montgomery said. “It was the old ‘cheater’ vest, which is lighter than the approved version. An investigation revealed that these vests were supplied by jockey Will Gordon.

“They are counterfeit vests and not approved. If a jockey falls while wearing one, they might not be covered by insurance, and the lighter weight also manipulates the jockey’s weight at the scales.”