Latest News

Stewards have concluded an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding apprentice jockey Shayleigh Ingelse’s mobile telephone being located in the jockey room at Gulgong Turf Club on Sunday, 8th June 2025, the subsequent evidence she provided when questioned regarding its presence and into a number of communications sent to and from apprentice Ingelse’s mobile telephone.

Stewards considered evidence from apprentice Ingelse, represented by Todd Smith, and licensed trainer Brett Robb.

Stewards also considered a report into the wagering activity of betting accounts held by apprentice Ingelse and Mr Robb.

After considering all the evidence Stewards were satisfied there was no flagitious wagering activity, however, issued the following charges:

Apprentice Shayleigh Inglese

Charge 1:

AR 218 No transmission of certain information in certain areas at racecourses

(4) Without the permission of the Stewards, a person (including but not limited to a jockey) must not:

(c) use in the jockeys’ room, any mobile telephone, tablet, radio transmitter, radio transceiver or any other appliance, apparatus, instrument or equipment capable of receiving or transmitting information.

The particulars of the charge being that,

(1) Apprentice Shayleigh Ingelse is an apprentice jockey with Racing NSW

(2) Whilst present in the Jockey room in order to fulfil riding engagements at Warren on 2/6/25 and Gulgong on 8/6/25 she did have in her possession and use her mobile telephone

(3) She did so without the permission of the Stewards

Plea: Guilty

Charge 2:

AR 232 Failure to observe processes and directions of PRAs or Stewards

A person must not:

(i) give any evidence at an interview, investigation, inquiry, hearing and/or appeal which is false or misleading.

The particulars of the charge being that

(1) Apprentice Ingelse an apprentice Jockey with Racing NSW

(2) When interviewed regarding the location of her mobile telephone in the jockey room at Gulgong Turf Club on 8/6/25 she did provide evidence that she knew to be false and misleading

(3) Apprentice Ingelse provided further evidence that she knew to be false and misleading when questioned as to whether she had used her mobile telephone at that race meeting

Plea: Guilty

Penalty

When considering the appropriate penalty Stewards considered all the relevant factors including but not limited to:

• The circumstances leading up to and surrounding the offences

• Apprentice Ingelse’s personal and professional circumstances

• The relatively innocuous nature of the communications uncovered

• Apprentice Ingelse’s guilty plea

• Apprentice Ingelse’s record in relation to mobile telephone related offences

• Principle of specific and general deterrence and what message is to be sent to the industry, and greater public, in respect to such conduct

• Purpose for issuing penalties as a protective measure for the image and integrity of the sport of Thoroughbred racing

Charge 1 - Two weeks suspension of Apprentice Ingels’s permit to ride in races - one week suspended for a period of two years on the basis that apprentice Ingelse does not commit any mobile phone or communication device related breaches in that time.

Charge 2 - Six weeks suspension of apprentice Ingelse’s permit to ride in races - reduced to four weeks having regard to the mitigating circumstances.

Stewards ordered that the suspensions commence at the completion of a careless riding suspension apprentice Inglese incurred of Gulgong on 8/6/25 which concludes on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, and to expire on Wednesday, 27 August 2025 on which day apprentice Ingelse may ride.

Apprentice Ingelse was advised of her rights of appeal.

Trainer Brett Robb

Charge 1:

AR 227 Breaches of the Rules

Without limiting any other powers, a PRA or the Stewards may penalise any person who:

(b) attempts to commit, aids, abets, counsels, procures, connives at, approaches or requests another person to commit, conspires with another person to commit, or is a party to another person who commits, a breach of the Rules.

The particulars of the charge being that:

(1) Mr Brett Robb is a licensed trainer with Racing NSW

(2) He did on a number of occasions including at Warren on 2/6/25 and Gulgong on 8/6/25 engage in communications via mobile telephone with apprentice Jockey Shayleigh Ingselse when he knew she was present in the jockey room

(3) such conduct being a breach of AR 218(4)(c) which Mr Robb was a party to.

Plea: Guilty

Penalty:

When considering the appropriate penalty Stewards considered all the relevant factors including but not limited to:

• The specific circumstances leading up to and surrounding the offending

• Mr Robb’s personal and professional circumstances

• Precedent penalties

• Mr Robb’s guilty plea

• Principle of specific and general deterrence and what message is to be sent to the industry, and greater public, in respect to such conduct

• Purpose for issuing penalties as a protective measure for the image and integrity of the sport of Thoroughbred racing

Stewards were of the opinion that the appropriate starting point for a penalty be a fine of $1000, however, acting under AR283(5) suspended $500 of that for a period of two years on the basis that Mr Robb does not breach a similar rule in that time.

Mr Robb was advised of his right of appeal.

Relevant Rules

AR 218 No transmission of certain information in certain areas at racecourses

(4) Without the permission of the Stewards, a person (including but not limited to a jockey) must not:

(c) use in the jockeys’ room, any mobile telephone, tablet, radio transmitter, radio transceiver or any other appliance, apparatus, instrument or equipment capable of receiving or transmitting information.

AR 232 Failure to observe processes and directions of PRAs or Stewards

A person must not:

(i) give any evidence at an interview, investigation, inquiry, hearing and/or appeal which is false or misleading.

AR 227 Breaches of the Rules

Without limiting any other powers, a PRA or the Stewards may penalise any person who:

(b) attempts to commit, aids, abets, counsels, procures, connives at, approaches or requests another person to commit, conspires with another person to commit, or is a party to another person who commits, a breach of the Rules.

AR283 Penalties

(5) 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.J. Bucknell (Chief Steward-Central Districts Racing Association, Racing NSW)