Racing WA stewards have completed an inquiry into a report provided by Chem Centre in Perth that banned substances were detected in the urine sample provided by Jockey Jessica Gray at Broome Turf Club on Saturday, 24 August 2024.
The findings were verified by Racing Analytical Services Ltd (Vic).
Ms Gray pleaded guilty to a charge under AR139(1)(a) for providing a urine sample at Broome Turf Club on Saturday, 24 August 2024 which upon analysis was found to contain banned substances as listed under the provisions of AR136(1).
Ms Gray had her licence suspended for a period of six (6) months with the penalty being backdated to 1 October 2024, being the date that she was initially stood down from riding.
Upon meeting certain criteria as determined by the stewards, including the requirement to provide clear urine samples and attending counselling on an ongoing basis, Ms Gray will be permitted to work within a racing stable as a stable employee from 1 November 2024.
Further, after such time, and at graduated intervals, consideration will be given to permitting her to ride trackwork, and after a further period is served, may then be permitted to ride in trials before resuming race riding prior to the full expiration of the penalty providing all the penalty conditions as imposed are met to the satisfaction of stewards.
In determining penalty, stewards considered the following factors:
- The seriousness of the offence
- The nature of the substances detected
- Ms Gray’s guilty plea
- Ms Gray’s prior unblemished record under the rule and degree of remorse
- Personal circumstances