NSW jockey Jake Pracey-Holmes has been suspended for two months after failing a breath test.
The country-based rider was tested at Dubbo on Saturday, May 20 and the breath test he returned “a reading in excess of the concentration of alcohol permitted under the Rules of Racing”.
Pracey-Holmes was stood down prior to fulfilling any of his engagements at the meeting after stewards interviewed the rider regarding his alcohol consumption on the previous night.
Pracey-Holmes pleaded guilty to a banned substance offence – the details of the charge were as follows:
1. He did accept riding engagements at the Dubbo Race Meeting on Saturday, 20 May 2023.
2. On Saturday, 20 May 2023 he attended Dubbo Racecourse for the purpose of fulfilling his riding engagements. He was subsequently interviewed by Racing NSW officials and he advised them that he had consumed an amount of alcohol on the night of 19 May 2023.
3. Racing NSW officials took a sample of his breath with a breath analysing instrument, in accordance with their powers under AR22(h).
4. The sample he provided was found, upon analysis, to have a concentration of alcohol that was in excess of the level permitted under the Rules of Racing.
Stewards handed down a three-month penalty which was reduced to two months due to the rider’s guilty plea and remorse for the incident.
Stewards also ruled that “upon the production of satisfactory evidence of him having committed to professional counselling, consideration would be given by Stewards to varying the full suspension of his jockey’s licence to a suspension of his entitlement to ride in races only, which would allow him to return to riding trackwork”.
Pracey-Holmes’ suspension ends on July 20.