Jockey Patrick Scorse has been handed a lengthy ban after testing positive for cocaine.
It is the second time Scorse has tested positive for the drug and Scorse is said to have shown genuine remorse following the recent scandal.
Scorse ended his day of racing at Muswellbrook on April 28 when he was asked to provide a urine sample.
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Analysis of this sample detected benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine prohibited under AR136(1).
Scorse, 24, has pleaded guilty and Racing NSW’s race commissioners have now dropped their investigation into the country driver.
He has been given a 12-month suspension and has been reported to be seeking professional help as well.
In 2021, Scorse was also found to have cocaine in his body.
He is the son of John Scorse, a four-time Group 1 winning jockey and former race presenter on Sky.
It was reported that the stewards also took into account Scorse’s “genuine remorse” and the jockey’s “personal circumstances” when assessing their verdict.
Scorse may return to track work in February next year.
His suspension has already begun and he will be eligible to start again in early June 2024.
It is possible that Scorse will not serve the full period of suspension if he completes his professional counseling to a satisfactory level.
It’s been up and down for Scorse since becoming a jockey. He also suffered an ankle injury in 2020 after being thrown into the cordons from his mount in Canberra.
He also missed part of the race after this incident.
Scorse was a horse rider and dreamed of representing Australia before deciding to follow his father’s path and become a jockey.