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On 24 February 2025, the Racing Appeal Tribunal imposed a disqualification upon licensed trainer Mr Stephen Jones of 3 years and 6 months, expiring on 22 October 2027.

The prohibitions imposed upon Mr Jones as a disqualified person, are outlined in the Australian Rules of Racing under AR263.

In March 2025, an application was made to Racing NSW by Mr Jones seeking approval to attend the Magic Million Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast in June 2025.  After careful consideration, the application was refused.

Following receipt of information, Racing NSW Integrity commenced an investigation and identified evidence that was alleged to show that Mr Jones entering the Magic Millions Sales grounds at 9:03am on 2 June 2025 and exiting at 11:11am.

Stewards invited Mr Jones to make submissions with respect to the allegations. After considering those submissions and the available evidence, Stewards were satisfied that Mr Jones had breached the provisions of Australian Rule of Racing AR263(1)(m).

In accordance with AR263(4), a period of disqualification imposed on a person must automatically restart if that person breaches AR263(1).

Accordingly, the disqualification imposed by the Racing Appeal Tribunal automatically restarted from the date of the breach - 2 June 2025 - and is now to expire on 2 December 2028.

Relevant Rules

Division 2 – Effects of penalties and restrictions imposed on persons and horses AR 263

Prohibitions on persons and their conduct while disqualified

(1) Unless otherwise authorised by the PRA which imposed a disqualification (and upon such conditions as that PRA may in its discretion impose), a person disqualified under these Australian Rules must not, during the period of that disqualification:

(m) attend or participate in thoroughbred horse sales or related events;

(4) Unless otherwise determined by the PRA that imposed or adopted a penalty, if a person breaches subrule (1), the period of disqualification imposed on that person must automatically restart from the most recent date of the breach, and the person may also be subject to further penalty.

- D R Hadley (General Manager-Investigations, Racing NSW)