Billy Owen is among six licensed industry participants who were banned for three months after their attendance at a Gungahlin social gathering last month which breached ACT COVID regulations.
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Owen, apprentice jockey Teaghan Martin and Canberra-based stablehands Talan Hill, Vicky Scott, Meg Maguire and Skye Stollery - have all been suspended until November 30 after pleading guilty to conduct prejudicial to the interests of racing.
Owen, who lives at the property with Hill and Scott, has been out of action for the past six weeks through injury. All six suspended participants ride regular trackwork at Thoroughbred Park, and their punishments have left a significant hole in Canberra's trackwork riding core, with interstate personnel not allowed to enter the Territory under lockdown restrictions.
Canberra Racing Club board member Daniel Gaul has also stepped down after the club was informed by Racing NSW of the illegal event. He is yet to be sanctioned, with his hearing adjourned until Monday.
"It's not appropriate this time for anybody but it's certainly not appropriate from anybody within the racing industry which has been able to continue because of good behaviour," Canberra Racing Club chief Andrew Clark said.
"It's disappointing for the club and the industry that that event took place, which had absolutely nothing to do with the racing industry and hence why they've been stood down and face punishment from stewards."
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The COVID breach comes after four Victorian jockeys, including superstar hoop Jamie Kah, were banned from race riding for breaching COVID protocols.
It's the latest frustrating blow for the Canberra club which has had to abandon its past two meetings, due to Canberra's lockdown. The club also had to abandon its July 23 meeting after wet weather caused serious drainage issues on its synthetic Acton track.
Canberra's strict lockdown laws mean jockeys who live outside the ACT aren't allowed into the Territory to ride at Thoroughbred Park, which meant its August 20 meeting had to be transferred to Queanbeyan.
The Federal Handicap from Friday's abandoned races has been tacked onto Queanbeyan's September 7 meeting. The NSW track may also be asked to host Canberra's next scheduled meeting on September 17, which falls on the proposed final day of the ACT's lockdown.
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
