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Background

At 7:40am on 14 April 2025, Ms Ally Angel and a female industry participant were completing trackwork duties at Gosford Racecourse.

During trackwork, a verbal argument ensured, at which time, Ms Angel directed towards the female industry participant words to the effect of, “I am going to break your jaw”.

Ms Angel and the female trackwork rider continued their argument directing improper language towards each other. Ms Angel completed trackwork and returned to the tie-up stalls where she waited for the female industry participant to complete trackwork.

At this time, Ms Angel advised another industry participant of her intention to break the female participant’s jaw. The female industry participant returned to the tie-up stalls and dismounted her horse. Ms Angel approached her and forcibly took hold of the front of her shirt which resulted in a struggle.

Racing NSW Investigators commenced an investigation and obtained statements from three (3) industry participants. Ms Angel took part in an interview where she made certain admissions.

Racing NSW Stewards today conducted an inquiry into the alleged incident. A brief of evidence compiled by Racing NSW Investigator Ben Lavorato was tendered and oral evidence was taken from three (3) participants and Ms Angel.

Stewards considered the evidence and issued a charge under AR228(b) against Ms Angel as detailed below;

Charge issued against Ms Ally Angel

Charge 1: AR228(b)

The details of the charge being that at 7:40am on 14 April 2025 during trackwork at Gosford Racecourse, she engaged in improper conduct by directing threatening and improper language towards a female industry participant. Furthermore, she forcibly took hold of the female industry participant’s shirt and engaged in a struggle.

Plea: Guilty

Penalty

The following penalty considerations were taken into account:

- Guilty plea
- The contrition and remorse shown by Ms Angel and her willingness to accept responsibility for her conduct
- Objective seriousness of the conduct
- Ms Angel’s personal and professional circumstances
- Principle of specific and general deterrence and what message is sent to the industry in respect to such conduct
- Purpose of issuing penalties as a protective measure for the image, interests and welfare of the Thoroughbred Racing Industry

Charge 1 – 12 weeks suspension of licence

Having regard to her guilty plea and other relevant considerations, Stewards ordered Ms Angel’s riding component of her licence be suspended for a period of 12 weeks reduced to 10 weeks.

Additionally, Stewards acting under AR283(5) ordered that 2 weeks of this penalty be suspended for a period of 2 years, on the basis that she is not found to be in breach of a conduct rule during this time period.

Stewards ruled the total period of suspension be 8 weeks, to commence immediately and to expire on 17 June 2025.

Ms Angel was advised of her rights of appeal.

Relevant Rules

AR 228 Conduct detrimental to the interests of racing

Any person or body authorised by the Rules to penalise a person may in respect of any penalty imposed in relation to the conduct of a person and other than in relation to a period of disqualification or a warning off, suspend the operation of that penalty either wholly or in part for a period not exceeding 2 years, on terms they think fit.

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