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Racing NSW Stewards conducted a hearing to determine charges issued against Ms Lyn Tongue.

The hearing commenced on the 30 July 2024 and was heard ex parte after Ms Tongue failed to appear before the Stewards.

Background
The charges subject of the hearing originated following an investigation as detailed below.

In January 2024, Racing NSW Investigators commenced an investigation in respect of allegations concerning Ms Tongue's conduct towards industry participants while at Gunnedah Racecourse on 7 January 2024.

Racing NSW Investigators conducted interviews with witnesses and Ms Tongue regarding the conduct alleged.

Ms Tongue was directed to attend a Stewards inquiry which was held on 12 July 2024. Despite sufficient notice being given to her, she failed to appear before the Stewards.

On 24 July 2024, as a result of the investigation and her failure to appear before the inquiry, Stewards issued three (3) charges against Ms Tongue as detailed below.

On 30 July 2024, Stewards heard the charges against Ms Tongue. Again, despite sufficient notice being given to her, she failed to appear before the hearing.

Accordingly, the hearing was determined in her absence. Stewards called evidence from a number of witnesses and at the conclusion determined the charges as follows:

Charges issued against Ms Lyn Tongue

Charge 1: AR228(b)

The details of the charge being that, on 7 January 2024 while at Gunnedah Racecourse, she engaged in improper conduct by directing aggressive and improper language, including racial abuse, towards another industry participant.

Finding: Guilty

Charge 2: AR228(b)
The details of the charge being that, on 7 January 2024 while at Gunnedah Racecourse, while in the female jockey’s room, she engaged in improper conduct by directing aggressive and improper language, towards another industry participant.

Finding: Guilty

Charge 3: AR232(h)
The details of the charge being that, on 10 July 2024 she was directed to attend a Stewards inquiry. The inquiry was held on 12 July 2024 and she failed to appear before the Stewards as directed.

Finding: Guilty

Penalty
Following the finding of guilt, Ms Tongue was afforded the opportunity to provide submissions on penalty. She failed to provide any material. Accordingly, the Stewards considered the following matters when determining an appropriate penalty:

- The nature and objective seriousness of the charges,
- Ms Tongue’s antecedents,
- Precedent penalties,
- 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: AR228(b) – 6 months disqualification
Charge 2: AR228(b) – 2 months disqualification (to be served wholly concurrently with charge 1)
Charge 3: AR232(h) - 6 months disqualification

Having regard to the concurrency of charge 2, the total period of disqualification is 12 months until 9 August 2025.

Ms Tongue was advised in writing of her right of appeal.

- M W Cleaver (Operations Manager-Integrity Racing NSW)