Jamie Kah hit with 10-meeting suspension over 'careless' move in race at Flemington
The Aussie jockey had returned to form after a fall last year that sidelined her for months.
Jamie Kah has been suspended for 10 race meetings for careless riding in the latest blow for the star jockey. The 28-year-old has endured a tumultuous 12 months, but made a successful comeback to horse racing late last year.
However she will miss the next 10 meetings after stewards found her guilty of permitting Helix to shift in at the 1200m mark in the ninth race at Flemington on Saturday. Kah was deemed to not be sufficiently clear of rival horse Milton Park, which ended up being cramped for room and lost its run as a result.
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The 10-meeting ban will see Kah sidelined from Monday, January 29 until the Victorian night meeting on Thursday, February 8. Kah's carelessness was deemed to be mid-range, and came as race winner Celine Gaudray also copped a suspension.
Celine Gaudray with a double on Summer Fun Race Day ✌, guiding So Risqué home in the VRC Life Member Daniel Connell Trophy.
🎥 @7HorseRacing #SummerRacing pic.twitter.com/hVOvcljsaC— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) January 20, 2024
Gaudray won the race on So Risque but was pinged for excessive whip use. She was found to have used her whip five more times than permitted before the 100m mark, as So Risque overcame He's Our Bonneval to win.
She was also fined $1500 and will miss four metropolitan and six provincial meetings as a result. Gaudray and Kah currently sit fourth and fifth respectively in the Victorian Metro Jockey Premiership behind leader Damian Lane.
Updates @RVStewards from Flemington.
Race 9 - Jamie Kah pleaded guilty careless riding. Commences after riding in HK expires at conclusion of day meeting on 8/2/24. 10 meetings - mid range causing interference near 1200m.— Andrew Bensley (@AndrewBensley) January 20, 2024
Fresh blow for Jamie Kah amid tumultuous time in racing
Kah's suspension comes amid a rollercoaster time for the golden girl of Aussie horse racing. In December she was found not guilty of conduct prejudicial to the image of racing over photos posted without her knowledge showing her appearing to rake a white powder into lines during a gathering at her house.
It came as a huge relief after a drawn-out process which commenced when she was charged by Racing Victoria officials last June. The 28-year-old has shot to prominence in recent years and had multiple rides in the Melbourne Cup. However she had struggled for form over the last few months in a difficult return to the sport following a horror fall early in 2023.
Kah and Craig Williams - two of Australia's leading jockeys - were both thrown from their mounts during a race at Flemington in April. Kah and Williams were both hospitalised after Kah's horse Flyball clipped the heels of eventual winner Veight, sending her spearing into the turf.
Williams suffered a broken clavicle, two fractured ribs and a damaged finger, while Kah had to be heavily sedated after she was knocked unconscious. Thankfully she didn't suffer any significant brain injuries or skull fractures.
She didn't return to racing until five months later and scored a brilliant double-victory at the Victoria Derby at the start of the Melbourne Cup carnival. She was chosen to ride More Felons in the Melbourne Cup and managed to finish 12th. She ended up with six victories during the carnival - more than double any other jockey.
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