The Stewards today interviewed licensed Jockey Blake Shinn to establish whether he had recently contravened the relevant Club-mandated Covid protocols applicable to licensed Jockeys.

Jockey Shinn pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 155(3) in that as a Jockey licensed by The Hong Kong Jockey Club for the current 2021/2022 racing season he did act in a manner prejudicial to the proper conduct of horse racing under the control and direction of the Club.

The charge was particularized as follows:-

1. In an email and via an instant messaging application on 22 April 2022 he was notified of, amongst other matters, the restrictions placed upon all Jockeys in respect of general places which they were not permitted to attend, which included ‘bars’ and ‘night clubs’, hereinafter referred to as ‘bars’.

2. Whilst serving a period of suspension from riding in races for careless riding he did, during at least the period commencing on Sunday, 29 May 2022 through until Sunday, 5 June 2022, attend a number of bars, such attendance being in breach of the direction previously provided to all Jockeys on 22 April 2022 which prohibited attendance at such venues in accordance with Club mandated Covid-protocols.

3. After attending a number of bars during the aforementioned period he did meet with 2 Jockeys licensed by the Club on the evening of Sunday, 5 June 2022.

4. After attending some of the bars during the aforementioned period he did meet with some employees of the Club on at least 4 June 2022, 5 June 2022 and 6 June 2022.

5. After attending the bars during the aforementioned period he did meet with another racing identity on Monday, 6 June 2022.

6. After attending the bars during the aforementioned period he did ride track work on Monday, 6 June 2022 and Tuesday, 7 June 2022.

7. By riding track work on Monday, 6 June 2022 and Tuesday, 7 June 2022 he did have some degree of contact with a number of licensed persons and a Club Official.

8. By recklessly contravening the Club-mandated Covid protocols when attending a number of bars during the aforementioned period, he did place at significant risk the measures imposed by the Club to ensure the continuation of horse racing under the control and direction of the Club.

After considering all the relevant matters associated with penalty including but not limited to the significant potential ramifications of a breach of the Rules and protocols upon racing continuing and the need for deterrence, the Stewards were of the opinion that a fine of $600,000 was the appropriate penalty.

Rule 23(1) provides that the maximum monetary penalty able to be imposed by the Stewards is $600,000.

Jockey Shinn was advised of his right of appeal against this decision.

It should be noted that Jockey Shinn met with the 2 Jockeys licensed by the Club on the evening of Sunday, 5 June 2022 (particular 3 of the charge) at a venue which was acceptable under the Club mandated Covid-protocols.  As such, the 2 jockeys did not breach the protocols.