Apprentice jockey charged over alleged assault

Apprentice jockey Brandon Wilkie has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent following an alleged assault involving a weighing room colleague last year.

The 22-year-old, from Edergole in Dromahair, Republic of Ireland, was arrested on August 18 after police were called to an address in Exning, near Newmarket, on August 4 in relation to reports of an incident the previous evening.

Police confirmed the alleged victim “had attended hospital with serious facial injuries”.

Wilkie, who was previously attached to William Knight’s Newmarket stable, has not ridden in Britain since the incident but has resumed riding in Ireland since December. He is yet to record a win from 14 rides there, with his most recent mount finishing last at Dundalk on April 10.

Prior to his arrest, Wilkie had ridden 64 winners in Britain, including notable victories aboard Look Back Smiling in the 2024 Spring Mile at Doncaster and Sir Busker in the Sky Bet Finale Handicap during the Ebor Festival at York in the same year.

Wilkie is scheduled to appear before Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on Monday, April 27.

Grievous bodily harm is considered a serious offence, involving significant injuries such as broken bones, deep wounds or lacerations, and can result in a custodial sentence if proven.