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Racing NSW Stewards today finalised an inquiry into the conduct of licensed apprentice jockey Zac Lloyd following an investigation being carried out by Racing NSW Investigators into his use of a mobile phone whilst in the jockeys’ room at race meetings under the jurisdiction of Racing NSW.

Stewards considered a brief of evidence submitted by Racing NSW Investigators who initially interviewed apprentice Lloyd on 5 January 2023 and took possession of his mobile phone under the powers of AR218(5) to facilitate his mobile phone being imaged.

Evidence obtained from apprentice Lloyd’s mobile phone indicated he had placed a minor multi bet which included a Thoroughbred race run outside of Australia.

Evidence was taken from apprentice Lloyd as well as his father and jockey agent Mr Jeff Lloyd on 26 January 2023.

Apprentice Lloyd was subsequently charged with being in breach of the following Rules:-

Charge 1

AR218(4)(b) – possession of mobile telephone in the jockeys’ room

The details of the charge being that he did have in his possession in the jockeys’ room a mobile phone at the following race meetings:-

• Gosford 14 July 2022
• Newcastle 20 August 2022
• Kembla Grange 27 August 2022
• Hawkesbury 3 September 2022
• Kembla Grange 10 September 2022

Plea:    Guilty

Charge 2

AR218(4)(c) – use of mobile telephone in the jockeys’ room

The details of the charge being that during the aforementioned race meetings he did use his mobile phone on 25 occasions in total, to exchange text messages with his father Mr Jeff Lloyd. It was established that all messages were exclusively with Mr Jeff Lloyd and related specifically to critiquing his riding at the meetings in question.

Plea:    Guilty

Charge 3

AR 115(1)(c) - bet on any thoroughbred race in any racing jurisdiction anywhere in the world

The details of the charge being that he did bet on a thoroughbred race which was included in a $6 multi bet, namely a fixed place bet on the horse Neighbourhood at the Matamata (NZ) race meeting on 13 May 2022.

Plea:    Guilty

Penalty

The following penalty considerations were taken into account.

• Early guilty plea to all charges
• Apprentice Lloyd’s full cooperation and frank evidence during the investigation
• His inexperience and clean disciplinary record in respect of conduct matters
• The small amount of the stake involved in the multi bet which was likely placed by accident
• Principle of specific and general deterrence and publicly announcing to the industry that such conduct is not acceptable
• Purpose of issuing penalties as a protective measure for the image and interests of the industry

Charge 1: AR218(4)(a) – 1 week suspension (reduced to 3 meetings for guilty plea)

Charge 2: AR218(4)(c) – 2 weeks suspension (reduce to 1 week for guilty plea)

Charge 3: AR115(1)(c) – 2 weeks suspension (reduced to 1 week for guilty plea)

Having considered the principles of penalty concurrency and totality, the Stewards determined the penalties for charge 1 and 2 be served concurrently.

The Stewards further ruled that the penalty relative to charge 3 be served cumulatively with charges 1 and 2.

Consequently, apprentice Lloyd was suspended for a total period of 2 weeks with this penalty to commence at the conclusion of a careless riding suspension which he is currently serving and which expires on Friday 3 February 2023.

Accordingly, Apprentice Lloyd is now able to resume race riding on Friday 17 February 2023.

Licensed Jockey Agent Mr Jeff Lloyd was also charged with being in breach of the following Rule:-

AR227(b) – being party to a breach of the Rules

The details of the charge being that he was a party to apprentice Zac Lloyd committing a breach of AR218(4)(c) by exchanging text messages with him in full knowledge that apprentice Lloyd was using his mobile phone whilst present in the jockeys’ room.

Plea:    Guilty

Penalty

The following penalty considerations were taken into account.

• Early guilty plea and contrition for the rule breach
• Mr Lloyd’s full cooperation and frank evidence during the investigation
• His exemplary disciplinary record over a long period and his standing in the industry
• Principle of specific and general deterrence and publicly announcing to the industry that such conduct is not acceptable
• Purpose of issuing penalties as a protective measure for the image and interests of the industry

Charge 1: AR227(b) - $1000 fine (reduced to $500 for guilty plea and other mitigating factors)

Relevant Rules

AR 115  Jockey and apprentice jockey misconduct

(1) A jockey or apprentice jockey must not:

(c) bet, or have any interest in a bet, or facilitate a bet, on any thoroughbred race or contingency relating to thoroughbred racing in any racing jurisdiction anywhere in the world;

AR218  No transmission of certain information in certain areas at racecourses

(4) Without the permission of the Stewards, a person (including but not limited to a jockey) must not:

(b) have in that person’s possession in the jockeys’ room any mobile telephone, tablet, radio transmitter, radio transceiver or any other appliance, apparatus, instrument or equipment capable of receiving or transmitting information.

(c)use in the jockeys’ room, any mobile telephone, tablet, radio transmitter, radio transceiver or any other appliance, apparatus, instrument or equipment capable of receiving or transmitting information.

AR227  Breaches of the Rules

Without limiting any other powers, a PRA or the Stewards may penalise any person who:

(b) attempts to commit, aids, abets, counsels, procures, connives at, approaches or requests another person to commit, conspires with another person to commit, or is a party to another person who commits, a breach of the Rules. 

S G Railton - Chairman of Stewards