Racing NSW blocks leading jockey
Michelle Payne won’t be able to ride any horse in New South Wales after the state’s governing body refused to budge on its stance over dual licences.
The Racing NSW board has resolved to maintain its policy of not granting permission for a jockey to also train horses, unlike in Victoria where Payne is able to juggle preparing a small team and riding her own horses in races.
The first woman to win a Melbourne Cup, aboard Prince Of Penzance last November, was furious last month when Racing NSW stewards banned her from riding a horse she had intended to run at Randwick.
But her pleas and that of the Australian Jockeys Association have fallen on deaf ears after Racing NSW’s directors considered the issue earlier this week and she won’t be able to ride any horse in NSW while she holds a training licence.
‘‘This decision is no reflection upon Michelle Payne, for whom we have the utmost admiration and respect,’’ Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys said.
‘‘However, we have to look beyond the individual when we believe that there are concerns related to integrity and perception of our industry.
‘‘The confidence of punters in the integrity of thoroughbred racing is paramount. In maintaining the confidence of punters, it is critical that punters not only believe that our integrity is of the highest order but also that the perception of our industry be the same.’’
Payne responded on Twitter with the following riposte: ‘‘I would love to know the integrity problems @racing_nsw thinks they might face with the licence to train and the seperate licence to ride?’’
Payne has spoken of moving into a transitional phase in her career and was hoping the ability to ride the horses she trains in their races would help her establish herself in the training caper.
She had her first runner as a trainer, Queen Of Zealand, at Warrnambool last Sunday, where she ran second. Payne has entered her for the VRC Oaks.