Latest News

Racing NSW Stewards have continued an inquiry opened into Bobby El-Issa’s handling of Soul Testa in Race 4 (Goulburn Express Freight Maiden Handicap, 1600m) at Goulburn Race Club's meeting on Friday, 17 March 2017.

On that day evidence was taken from Bobby El-Issa, rider of the gelding, and trainer Ron Quinton. Evidence yesterday was taken from Mitch Reid, Racing NSW Betting Analyst and further evidence was taken from trainer Ron Quinton and jockey Bobby El-Issa.

The Stewards also considered transcripts of interviews with two unlicensed parties in respect to wagering on this event as well as communications records extracted from B El-Issa’s mobile phone following a forensic analysis of that device. Having regard to the requisite standard, on the evidence, the Stewards did not establish any integrity issues in respect to wagering on this event.

B El-Issa was found guilty of the following charge under AR135(b);

AR135. (b) The rider of every horse shall take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that his horse is given full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible place in the field.

The details of the charge being that licensed jockey Bobby El-Issa, rider of 6th placegetter Soul Testa in Race 4 (Goulburn Express Freight Maiden Handicap, 1600m) at the Goulburn Race Club race meeting conducted at Goulburn Racecourse on Friday, 17 March 2017, failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures on that gelding throughout the said race to ensure that Soul Testa was given full opportunity to win or obtain the best possible place in the field in that by reason of all or part of the following particulars;

1) Near the 600m he failed to position his mount to the outside of the heels of Duchess of Dubai when it was reasonable and permissible for him to do so, which would have provided his mount clear and uninterrupted running. 2) That after leaving the 600m he elected to position his mount to the inside of the heels of Duchess of Dubai, resulting in his mount being badly held up and having to be checked from the heels of The Pound Keeper rounding the home turn and losing ground. 3) That on straightening, after being held up, he failed to immediately ride his mount with sufficient purpose and vigour to take a run between First Courrier and The Pound Keeper when it was reasonable and permissible for him to do so, such failure resulting in First Courrier shifting out around the heels of Canford Calling and resulting in his mount having to be steadied from the heels of First Courrier. 4) That for some distance near the 200m he failed to position his mount to the outside of the heels of Polar Blast to obtain clear running between Polar Blast and First Courrier, when at all relevant stages it was reasonable and permissible for him to shift to the outside of Polar Blast, such failure resulting in his mount being held up on the heels of Polar Blast for some distance thereafter. 5) That after obtaining a narrow run between Polar Blast and First Courrier near the 100m, in all of the circumstances, he then rode his mount with insufficient purpose and vigour over the final 100m to ensure his mount, which was finishing the race off strongly, was able to obtain the best possible place in the field, when it reasonable and permissible for him to do so.

Bobby El-Issa’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 4 months to commence on Sunday, 21st May 2017 and to expire on Thursday, 21st September 2017.

In assessing penalty the Stewards took into account Bobby El-Issa’s poor record in that this was his fourth offence under this particular rule and fifth offence in respect to the running and handling rules.

Bobby El-Issa pleaded guilty to a charge under AR160B(3) in that on Wednesday, 8th February 2017 he did have in his possession and operate a mobile phone within the confines of the jockey’s room at Warwick Farm Racecourse during the course of a race meeting. Bobby El-Issa was fined $300. In assessing penalty the Stewards were satisfied no communications were made that related to the integrity of any race.

Bobby El-Issa was advised of his appeal rights.