Aussie curbs on agents

– Racing NSW in Australia has announced a new rule that will see jockeys’ agents banned from tipping and betting on races involving their clients.

The rule was initially proposed in April this year but was put one side until Monday this week, when the new measure was officially announced ahead of implementation in 2019.

Racing NSW will introduce the new local rule in March 2019. Any rider’s agent who: (a) bets, has an interest in a bet, or facilitates a bet; or

(b) provides either directly or indirectly to any person for any direct or indirect financial or other benefit (regardless of whether such benefit materialises) any tip, or any other information or advice that may influence any person to bet,

(a & b) on any NSW race in which a rider whom the rider’s agent represents (in accordance with AR1) is engaged to ride, commits an offence and may be penalised. For the purposes of this rule, a bet includes a lay bet.

The new rule does allow a jockey manager to be exempt from the rule provided they “seek written approval from Racing NSW”.

“To be exempt from the provisions, such application must be made in writing to Racing NSW prior to the commencement date,” the authority said in a letter to agents.

The ban has significant implications for a number of agents

Sydney