Following the recent suspension of former champion jockey Shane Ellis for breaking Jamaica Racing Commission’s (JRC) betting rules, chairman of the organisation, Clovis Metcalfe, has issued a stern warning against a repeat.
Ellis was suspended for five race days and fined $75,000 for breaking Rule 143 of the Rules of Racing, which prohibits jockeys from betting on their rides.
The rule states: “No jockey shall bet on any race except through the owner of and on the horse which he rides, and any jockey who shall be proved to the satisfaction of the commission to have interest in any race horse or to have been engaged in any betting transaction, except permitted by this rule or to have received a present from any person other than the owner of the horse, which he is riding, shall be guilty of an offence under these rules.”
Metcalfe told The Sunday Gleaner that an investigation was done by the JRC which revealed that Ellis had broken the rule, which resulted in his receiving his ban and fine.
“The stakeholders are mandated to abide by the guidelines to ensure the integrity of the sport and win over the punters and public at large,” said Metcalfe. “Failure to do so will result in sanctions, and could lead to the ending of one’s career goals and aspirations.”
“We want to ensure that racing is transparent. Racing is a clean sport, and any infractions will be dealt with to ensure that these actions are consistent,” Metcalfe added.
He underscored that, if these infractions continue, then the JRC will look to increase the penalty to ensure that the message is clear and loud.
“The commission will not tolerate dishonesty in the sport and, therefore, we are urging the stakeholders to desist from this practice,” Metcalfe said.
Meanwhile, president of the United Racehorse Trainers Association (URTA), Ryan Darby, agrees with Metcalfe and is urging all stakeholders to desist from this practice.
“This is not good for the sport, and so we need to ensure that we do the right things at all times to protect the integrity of the sport,”said Darby. “We as trainers are doing our part to keep racing alive, and so we need the other persons who are involved to do their part as well.”
The Ellis suspension is set to expire after next Saturday’s race meet.