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Background

On 20 January 2025, Racing NSW Stewards received a complaint in respect to the alleged conduct of licensed apprentice jockey Ms Shae Wilkes while riding trackwork at Taree Racecourse.

Racing NSW Investigators commenced investigation and seized Closed Circuit Television Footage (CCTV) of the alleged conduct. Investigators conducted an interview with Ms Shae Wilkes at Gunnedah Racecourse following Race 4.

Racing NSW Stewards today conducted an inquiry into the alleged conduct of licensed apprentice jockey Ms Shae Wilkes which was alleged to have occurred at 6:32am while riding Thoroughbred horse Sigsaly during trackwork at Taree Racecourse.

CCTV footage and a transcript of interview was tendered and oral evidence was taken from Ms Shae Wilkes and her master, licensed trainer Mr Wayne Wilkes.

Stewards considered the evidence and, as a result, issued one charge against Ms Shae Wilkes as detailed below:

Charge issued against Ms Shae Wilkes

Charge 1: AR228(b)

The details of the charge being that at 6:32am on 20 January 2025 during trackwork at Taree Racecourse, Thoroughbred horse Sigsaly became fractious causing Shae Wilkes to dismount. Ms Wilkes then did engage in improper conduct by holding the reins in her left hand and forcibly kicking Sigsaly with her right foot impacting the near side abdominal area. As a result of the kick Sigsaly spun around and moved backwards.

Plea: Guilty
Finding: Guilty

Penalty

The following penalty considerations were taken into account:

- Guilty plea
- The contrition and remorse shown by Ms Wilkes and her willingness to accept responsibility for her conduct
- Objective seriousness of the conduct
- Ms Wilkes personal and professional circumstances
- Principle of specific and general deterrence and what message is sent to the industry in respect to such conduct
- The importance of equine welfare for the Thoroughbred Racing Industry prior to, during racing and on retirement
- Purpose of issuing penalties as a protective measure for the image, interests and welfare of the Thoroughbred Racing Industry

Charge 1 – 8 weeks suspension of licence (in full)

Having regard to her guilty plea and other relevant considerations, Stewards ordered that the 8-week suspension be reduced to 6 weeks. Additionally, Stewards acting under AR283(5) ordered that 2 weeks of the penalty be suspended for a period of 12 months, on the basis that she is not found to be in breach of a conduct rule during this time period.

Stewards ruled the total period of suspension be 4 weeks, to commence on 26 January 2025 and to expire on 23 February 2025.

Ms Wilkes was advised of her rights of appeal.

Relevant Rules

AR 228 Conduct detrimental to the interests of racing

A person must not engage in:

(a) conduct prejudicial to the image, interests, integrity, or welfare of racing, whether or not that conduct takes place within a racecourse or elsewhere;
(b) misconduct, improper conduct or unseemly behaviour;
(c) improper or insulting behaviour at any time towards a PRA, the Stewards, a Club, or any official, employee, contractor or agent of any of them in relation to the relevant person’s functions, powers or duties;

Division 4 – Penalties

AR 283 Penalties

Any person or body authorised by the Rules to penalise a person may in respect of any penalty imposed in relation to the conduct of a person and other than in relation to a period of disqualification or a warning off, suspend the operation of that penalty either wholly or in part for a period not exceeding 2 years, on terms they think fit.

- D.R. Hadley (General Manager-Investigations, Racing NSW)