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Racing NSW Stewards today inquired into the analysis finding in respect of a urine sample provided by licenced jockey Mr Patrick Scorse at Muswellbrook Racecourse on Friday, 28 April 2023.

Evidence was taken from Jockey Scorse at the inquiry.

Charge: AR139(1)(a) – Offences where riders use banned substances

The details of the charge being that licensed jockey Mr Patrick Scorse did provide a sample of his urine after fulfilling his riding engagements at Muswellbrook on 28 April 2023 which upon analysis was found to contain a substance banned under AR136(1), namely benzoylecgonine the metabolite of cocaine.

Plea: Guilty

PENALTY

The Stewards considered the following matters when determining an appropriate penalty:

• Guilty plea and forthright evidence
• Professional and personal circumstances.
• Genuine remorse displayed for this breach of the rules and his undertaking to seek professional assistance.
• Jockey Scorse’s previous breach of this rule involving the same banned substance in 2021.
• Principles of specific and general deterrence and what message is sent to the industry in respect to such conduct.
• Purpose of issuing penalties as a protective measure for the image and interests of the thoroughbred racing industry.

Penalty: 12 months suspension of his jockey’s licence in full with the suspension to commence on 6 June 2023, the day upon which he was stood down by Racing NSW Stewards, and to expire on 6 June 2024.

Patrick Scorse was advised that Stewards would consider staying the operation of the final 3 months of the suspension upon receipt of evidence of him having completed satisfactory professional counselling.

Patrick Scorse was further advised that provided he met the requirements set out above and also provides a urine sample that is free of any banned substances as per the requirements of AR139(4), consideration would then be given by Stewards to varying the full suspension of his jockey’s licence to a suspension of his entitlement to ride in races only from 6 February 2024, which would allow him to return to riding trackwork.

Relevant Rules

AR139(1)(a) Offences where riders use banned substances

(1) A rider breaches these Australian Rules if:

(a) a banned substance under AR 136(1) is detected in a sample taken from the rider

(4) If a rider incurs a penalty or is prevented by the Stewards from riding under this rule, the rider cannot resume riding until the period of the penalty has expired and a sample from the rider free of   any banned substance under AR 136(1) has been delivered, as directed by the Stewards.

AR136(1) Banned substances in relation to riders

(1) Unless otherwise stated in these Australian Rules, the following substances and/or their metabolites, artefacts and isomers are specified as banned substances in riders when detected in a urine sample at a concentration above the respective threshold level:

(g) all stimulants, including but not limited to

(viii) cocaine (100μg/L)