Latest News

Racing NSW Stewards have conducted an inquiry in relation to an incident involving licensed apprentice jockey Olivia Pickering and approved rider Tayla Poy that occurred at Grafton Racecourse on Monday, 29 January 2024.

Evidence was taken at the hearing from Ms Pickering, Ms Poy, licensed stablehand/trackwork rider Bryce Crispin and CRJC track supervisor, David Brody.

After considering all the evidence the following charge of improper conduct was issued against Ms Pickering.

Charge

AR228(b) – Improper Conduct

 The details of the charge being that Ms Olivia Pickering engaged in improper conduct by reason of the following particulars:

1. Ms Pickering is a licensed Apprentice Jockey with Racing NSW
2. On the morning of Monday, 29 January 2024 at approximately 6.30am, she did, while riding trackwork at Grafton Racecourse engage in a verbal argument with approved rider Ms Tayla Poy
3. As Ms Poy was returning from the training track on an unnamed 4yo mare she did initially direct verbal insults towards her
4. She then confronted Ms Poy while she was still mounted and took hold of her mount’s bridle before undoing the surcingle attached to her saddle and dislodge Ms Poy’s left foot from the stirrup
5. She then physically assaulted Ms Poy
6. As a result of her actions in dragging Ms Poy from her mount, the unnamed 4yo mare had to be restrained by CRJC track supervisor Mr David Brody to prevent it from becoming unrestrained on Grafton Racecourse.

Plea: Not Guilty

Stewards Finding: Guilty

Penalty

Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was a suspension of Ms Pickering's licence for a period of four months. Having regard to Ms Pickering’s personal circumstances and other relevant factors, the Stewards reduced the penalty to a period of three months suspension.

Accordingly, Ms Pickering’s licence was suspended for a period to commence on Tuesday, 30 January 2024, on which day she was stood down, and to expire on 30 April 2024.

Ms Pickering was advised that should she undergo a satisfactory level of counselling, Stewards would give consideration to staying a period of the suspension under AR283(5).

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

• Disciplinary History
• Nature of the offence
• Personal circumstances/ contributing factors.
• Principle 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 industry

Relevant Rule

Division 3 – Conduct detrimental to the interests of racing

AR 228 Conduct detrimental to the interests of racing

A person must not engage in:

• misconduct, improper conduct or unseemly behaviour.