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Background

On 21 January 2025, Racing NSW Integrity was made aware of a social media post circulated on Facebook and Instagram which was alleged to have occurred on 20 January 2025 at a property in Heatherbrae NSW.

Racing NSW Investigation commenced an investigation and established that the Facebook and Instagram accounts responsible for the social media posts belonged to registered owner Jamie Carruthers.

The social media post in question depicted a Thoroughbred horse within a round yard being educated. In subsequent comments on the Facebook post when engaging with members of the public, Mr Carruthers made improper comments which were prejudicial to the image, interests, integrity and welfare of racing.

Mr Carruthers has 1400 friends on Facebook, comprised of both industry and non-industry participants. The social media post and subsequent comments made by Mr Carruthers were viewed a total of 3600 times.

On 21 January 2025, Racing NSW Investigators attended the property at Heatherbrae and examined a two-year-old colt. Mr Carruthers was subsequently interviewed by Investigators where he made full and frank admissions to being the user of the Facebook and Instagram accounts.

On 22 January 2025, Stewards issued a charge under AR228(a) against Mr Carruthers.

Racing NSW Stewards today conducted a hearing to determine the charge issued against Mr Carruthers. A brief of evidence compiled by Racing NSW Investigator Ben Lavorato was tendered and oral evidence was taken from Mr Carruthers.

Charge issued against Mr Jamie Carruthers

Charge 1: AR228(a)

The details of the charge being that on 20 January 2025, he engaged in conduct prejudicial to the image, interests, integrity, or welfare of racing when using social media platform Facebook
by making improper comments to members of the public in respect to a video he posted depicting a Thoroughbred horse being educated. The video and subsequent comments were viewed 3600 times by both industry and non-industry participants.

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Guilty

Penalty

The following penalty considerations were taken into account:

- Guilty plea
- The contrition and remorse shown by Mr Carruthers and his willingness to accept responsibility for his conduct
- Objective seriousness of the conduct
- History of being a master farrier and Thoroughbred horse breaker for in excess of 40 years
- Mr Carruthers' personal and professional circumstances
- 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, interests and welfare of the Thoroughbred Racing Industry

Charge 1 – 6 months disqualification of licence

Having regard to his guilty plea and other relevant considerations, Stewards ordered that the 6 month disqualification be reduced to 5 months.

Stewards ordered the commencement of the penalty be deferred for a period of seven (7) days to allow Mr Carruthers to make arrangements for the transfer of ownership of his horse. Accordingly, the period of disqualification is to commence on 7 February 2025 and expires on 7 July 2025.

Mr Carruthers was advised of his appeal rights.

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

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