McMAHON RUES ‘A STUPID THING’

BRISBANE jockey Ric McMahon has broken his silence after returning an irregularity to a banned substance.

McMahon, 27, was stood down by RQ stewards immediately yesterday after it was found he had allegedly returned an irregularity to methamphetamines.

McMahon, who has battled weight issues throughout his career, told the Bulletin yesterday he had made a mistake.

“I did a stupid thing and this is the consequence,” McMahon said via text.

RQ chief steward Allan Reardon would not reveal the banned substance yesterday but it has been reported as methamphetamines.

McMahon has been stood him down pending the result of a second test sample, which may not be known for 10 days and he is likely to face a long ban if the B sample comes back irregular as well.

McMahon said he has endured a tough few months following the end of a long-term relationship.

But he vowed to fight his way back if he received a ban.

“The last two to three months have been hard,” McMahon said.

“That’s the plan anyway (to come back). I have no idea what I’m going to do at this stage until I can get back in the saddle.”

McMahon, who is seventh in the Brisbane premiership, was stood down from rides at Gatton yesterday and has already been replaced on his bookings at Doomben today.

McMahon’s irregularity comes three months after Brisbane apprentice Matthew McGillivray was banned for four months after he tested positive to methamphetamines and MDMA in a urine test at the Doomben jump-outs on April 14.

In 2013, South Australian stewards also suspended jockey Andrew Stead for three years for testing positive to methamphetamines.

Australian Racing Board chief executive Peter McGauran yesterday denied there was a widespread problem with methamphetamines, which is more commonly known as ice, in Australian jockey ranks.

“It is disappointing when any jockey fails a drug test but relatively speaking they are still far and few between,” McGauran said.

“Young jockeys are subject to apprentice training and they are very strong on education about drugs.”