N.S.W. TURr SENSATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 202, 24 August 1944, Page 6

N.S.W. TURr SENSATION

JOCKEY “OUT” FOR TEN YEARS Sydney, Aug. 18. The biggest sensation in New South Wales racing for many years had a climax yesterday, when the Australian Jockey Club Committee disqualified prominent lightweight jockey Andy Knox for 10 years. Knox and another jockey, Fred Shean, had appealed to the A.J.C. against a two-years’ disqualification imposed on them by the Newcastle Jockey Club stewards. The A.J.C. committee allowed Shean’s two-years’ penalty to stand. The disqualifications arose from an inquiry by the Newcastle stewards into allegations that Knox ana Shean had conveyed an offer of a bribe of £6OO to N. McGrowdie, rider 6f Abbeville, favourite and ultimate winner of the £l5OO Cameron Handicap run at Newcastle on July 29. Shean rode the second horse, Hall Stand, and Knox the fourth, Precise. McGrowdie was chief witness at the inquiry. He told the stewards the alleged bribe was offered him in the jockeys’ room. He said Shean told him that he (Shean) had been offered £6OO to “pull” Hall Stand. He added that Shean said this would be increased to £lOOO if Precise won. McGrowdie said he was told by Shean that “the same offer applies to you.” The Newcastle stewards are continuing the inquiry to try and discover the “master mind” who inspired the conspiracy. They have called on Mr. Philip Jenkins, hotelkeeper-bookmaker and owner of Precise, to produce his betting sheets on the Cameron Handicap.

The inquiry has been adjourned because some of the carboned writing on the duplicate sheets is illegible. The committee has applied to the Treasury for permission to peruse the originals which Jenkins had forwarded for betting tax purposes. Knox and Shean were stunned by the A.J.C. committee’s verdict. Knox had considered retiring at the end of the current season as he has been riding for 25 years, but the disqualification is likely to put him out of racing entirely. As he walked from the committee rooms he remarked: “I was railroaded by jockeys I thought, pals, and crucified by the A J.C. committee.

Knox has won a Melbourne Cup, two Caulfield Cups. Australian Cup, Victoria Derby, A.J.C. Derby, V.R.C. Derby, St. Leger, and A.J.C. St. Leger. Shean has won a Melbourne Cup. Caulfield Cup. Epsom Handicap, and Williamstown Cup.