Jamie Kah speaks out after Racing Victoria tribunal hands down white powder verdict

Star Aussie jockey Jamie Kah has been found not guilty of conduct prejudicial to the image of racing after a drawn-out process relating to a white powder controversy. Photos emerged in June of nine-time Group 1 winner Kah appearing to rake a white powder into lines during a gathering at her house.

In July she was charged by Racing Victoria stewards - along with stablehand Ruby McIntyre - after the photos circulated on social media. McIntyre had recorded and later shared the images of Kah, with both being charged by stewards.

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But Kah was found not guilty on Friday and the charge was unanimously dismissed at a tribunal hearing. Lawyers for Kah argued she didn't know McIntyre - who she only met for the first time on the night of the gathering - had filmed and shared the images.

On Friday, Judge John Bowman said Kah's actions were “immature, irresponsible, and at least bordering on reckless”, but "the question of whether that behaviour, that recklessness, is sufficient to comfortably satisfy us there’s been a breach [of the rules] … we are not so satisfied.”

Bowman said they were not comfortably satisfied that Kah’s actions were prejudicial because she didn't know she was being recorded. "It's been the most challenging and testing year, but I'm so relieved that I can put it behind me now and focus on racing and being happy," Kah told racenet.

However McIntyre was unanimously found guilty of the same charge - conduct prejudicial to the image of racing. McIntrye had earlier admitted she filmed Kah and shared images on a private social media channel, but didn't expect them to be shared beyond that. A penalty hearing to decide McIntrye's punishment has been set for January 18.

“It was a big mistake trusting someone to send a very private video to, I understand everything that has come from that has come from the video I had on my phone," she said previously. "I guess in the way it was sent, just how private it was and how it was a one-time thing, it has shocked me how it’s been able to come out… that was never my intention.”

Jamie Kah's return to form after tumultuous time

The 28-year-old Kah 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 earlier this year.

Kah and Craig Williams - two of Australia's leading jockeys - were both thrown from their mounts during the Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes 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.

However she didn't return to racing until five months later and scored a brilliant double-victory at the Victoria Derby. She was chosen to ride More Felons in the Melbourne Cup and managed to finish 12th. She ended up with six victories during the Melbourne Cup carnival - more than double any other jockey.

“She's as good a jockey as I've ever seen,” trainer Mick Kent said. “Was great to have Jamie on as she rode her last week and was full of confidence this week as she wanted to ride her again. She’s a beautiful horsewoman and is very relaxed, it’s the first winner she’s ridden for me so I’m really pleased that I’ve finally got one with her.”

Speaking at the start of the Melbourne Cup carnival, Michelle Payne predicted it was only a matter of time before Kah returned to form. “I think she’s just going through the motions of whatever she’s getting, the rides she’s getting (and) doing her best," said the 2015 Melbourne Cup winner. “Obviously it’s very hard coming back from an injury like that but I think that she’s not panicking and you can’t.

“She’s not getting the calibre of horses that she was, but I think she’s still riding as good as ever. People that have ability are going great now and then it’ll come around and she’ll be flying again. She’s done a remarkable job to come back from her injury like she did and she’ll get back there.”

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