Jockeys Warned Over Work Ride Refusal

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30073, 6 March 1963, Page 4

Jockeys Warned Over Work Ride Refusal

Three Riccarton jockeys, N. Eastwood, G. W. Mein, and W. H: Beck, appeared before the Canterbury District Committee yesterday as a result of allegations that they refused to ride work for a Riccarton trainer, and tried to influence other jockeys to take similar action.

No charge was preferred against any of the jockeys, but they were warned by the chairman, Mr P. D. Hall, that direct action by jockeys and any attempts to influence other jockeys to refuse to ride work for any owner or trainer would not be tolerated by the Racing Conference or the District Committee. In future, it would result in a charge being brought under the appropriate Rules of Racing, the jockeys were told. “Should such a charge be proved before this committee, it would not hesitate to recommend to the conference that the offenders’ licences be withdrawn,” said Mr Hall.

The jockeys appeared before the committee after inquiries into the matter were made by a racecourse inspector, Mr F. G. Pine.

Tbs committee received a report from Mr Pine and considered statements he took from Eastwood, Mein, and Beck.

Mr Hall said: “The committee wants it clearly understood that it is an owner’s privilege to engage the jockey he considers most suitable for his horse on race days, and that this must mean that riding a hone in work does not, necessarily, guarantee a race ride on It" The trainer concerned was I. McClure.