Tag: alcohol

Desormeaux to be Subject to Breathalyzer Before Every Race Day or Morning

As a result of failing a breathalyzer test March 31 before the first race at Santa Anita, Kent Desormeaux will now be subjected to a breathalyzer test before every race day and every time he rides a horse in a morning exercise or work, according to a stewards' ruling posted Friday on the California Horse Racing Board's website.

A complaint posted on the site April 8 read, “On 3/31/2023, Jockey Kent Desormeaux failed an alcohol breathalyzer test administered by CHRB Investigators at Santa Anita Park prior to riding in the 1st race.” Desormeaux did not ride that day, but was back riding the following day, April 1.

A hearing date was set for May 18.

Friday, the stewards ruled: “Jockey KENT DESORMEAUX, having entered into a Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release with the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) for violation of CHRB rules 1874 (Disorderly Conduct) and 1680 (Jockeys and Drivers to Report) on March 31, 2023, at Santa Anita Park, is placed on probation for the remainder of his license period, subject to the following terms and conditions of probation: He is placed on a testing agreement with the following conditions: (a) He will be tested by a CHRB investigator before entering the racetrack to exercise a horse or participate in a race. (b) On scheduled race days, he will report to the CHRB investigative office no later than 1.5 hours before the scheduled post time. (c) In the event CHRB investigators obtain a PAS reading detecting the presence of alcohol (Anything greater than 0.00) his license will be summarily suspended until a noticed hearing before a Board of Stewards is held and a ruling is issued. (d) Upon renewal of his Jockey license, a testing agreement will be part of his next license period.”

Desormeaux has had a long history of alcohol-related issues on and off the track. He missed most of 2022 after getting into an altercation in a parking lot at Del Mar when intoxicated. He was arrested in January and charged with domestic battery and abuse. He spent time in a rehab facility in 2016, and was back in an in-patient program in 2020.

 

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‘Deeply Embarrassed’: Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy Relinquishes His License To Focus On Rehabilitation

Crowned Britain's Champion Jockey for a third straight year in October and winner of the Breeders' Cup Distaff aboard longshot Marche Lorraine in November, Oisin Murphy announced Thursday his decision to relinquish his racing license in order to focus on his rehabilitation, according to a statement released by the British Horseracing Authority. In 2021, a pair of racecourse incidents related to alcohol caused Murphy to be taken off his mounts for the day, and in 2020 a positive test for cocaine (blamed on a sex partner) saw the jockey handed a three-month ban.

“It became obvious to me and to everyone else that I needed to seek serious help,” Murphy's statement reads. “In recognition of this I have relinquished my license and will now focus on my rehabilitation.

“Whether I deserve it or not, many kind people have stood by me and I really appreciate their support. I'm deeply embarrassed and regret my actions.”

The BHA's statement also details a breach of coronavirus protocols in September of 2020, resulting in the following alleged charges:

  • Breaches of Rule (J)24.6 of the Rules of Racing for misleading or attempting to mislead the BHA regarding his true location between 9 and 12 September;
  • Breaches of Rules (J)24.4 and (J)24.6 for accessing the racecourse in breach of the COVID-19 Requirements;
  • Breaches of Rule (J)19 for acting in a manner prejudicial to the proper conduct and good reputation of horseracing.

A hearing in front of an independent Disciplinary Panel to consider these charges was arranged for Friday, Dec. 10, but prior to the hearing the BHA received submissions from Murphy's legal team regarding his welfare, which were supported by medical evidence, and stated that Murphy had made a decision to relinquish his Flat Jockeys License whilst he engages fully with medical support.

Bearing these submissions in mind, it was agreed with Murphy's representatives that the proposed hearing would be postponed to take place at a later date, when it is deemed appropriate considering the welfare of Murphy.

These matters will also be heard at the same time as two cases regarding positive tests for alcohol returned from racecourses in 2021 by Murphy, as follows:

  • Breach of Rule (K)55 due to the presence of alcohol in urine sample exceeding permitted threshold at Chester racecourse on May 5, 2021.
  • Breach of Rule (K)55 due to presence of alcohol in breath samples exceeding permitted threshold at Newmarket on Oct. 8, 2021.

Tim Naylor, BHA Director of Integrity and Regulation, said:

“In regulating the sport we must always strike the balance between the importance of upholding the rules, and being mindful of the wellbeing of those who we regulate. The welfare of our participants is an absolute priority.

“Having received detailed submissions from his representatives, which were supported by medical evidence, and being aware of the decision made by Mr Murphy to relinquish his jockeys license, we agreed that the proposed disciplinary hearing may be postponed for a short period of time.

“The charges will be considered in front of an independent Disciplinary Panel we anticipate in the early part of 2022. We will support his medical team in the meantime.”

Mr Murphy has asked that the following statement be relayed on his behalf:

“On returning from abroad last September in 2020 I failed to follow the Covid protocol set out by the BHA. In breaking these rules, and attempting to mislead the BHA, I've let my governing body down, along with trainers, owners, staff, sponsors and family for which I wish to apologize.

“In addition to this there have been two racecourse incidents linked to alcohol during 2021.  It became obvious to me and to everyone else that I needed to seek serious help. In recognition of this I have relinquished my license and will now focus on my rehabilitation. I am grateful to the BHA for agreeing to postpone the disciplinary hearing until I have been able to take these steps.

“Whether I deserve it or not, many kind people have stood by me and I really appreciate their support . I'm deeply embarrassed and regret my actions.”

The BHA and Murphy will not make any further comment on this matter, which remains an ongoing disciplinary process, until a hearing date is set.

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Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy Taken Off Mounts After Failing Breath Test

Reigning champion British jockey Oisin Murphy was taken off his mounts Friday at Newmarket when he failed a breath test for alcohol, reports The Guardian.

He has been referred to the British Horseracing Authority's disciplinary panel, but a hearing will not be held until after the season concludes on Oct. 16 at Ascot.

Murphy, currently leading the jockey standings, already served a three-month suspension this year after testing positive for cocaine in July of 2020. It is the second breath test Murphy has failed; the first came in 2019 at Salisbury.

Read more at The Guardian.

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Desormeaux Returns to Action After Rehab Stint

When racing returns to Santa Anita Dec. 26, it does so in a blitzkrieg of high-octane firepower, with races like the GI Malibu S., GI La Brea S. and GI American Oaks luring headline grabbers from across the country.

As things go, race three on the card–a $16,000 claimer–is a far less exulted companion to its starrier cousins. But the race contains its own prodigal return…that of Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux after a hiatus from the saddle. Still, it’s just the sort of low-key call to arms the jockey is looking for.

“It’s not something you get control of and go tell the world about your accomplishment,” said Desormeaux, of his newly established sobriety after a tumultuous six-month period culminating from decades of struggle.

“I can honestly say it’s been 25 years since I’ve been clean this long,” he said.

It was back in July that Del Mar management barred Desormeaux from the grounds following an off-site incident in which the jockey was accused of using a racial epithet in a fight.

The following September, the Del Mar stewards suspended the jockey for 15 days for “disorderly conduct–racial slurs, aggressive behavior.” He was also ordered to be evaluated by the Winners Foundation, which helps backstretch workers deal with substance-abuse problems, and “abide by the recommendations of that organization.”

Desormeaux explained that he subsequently enrolled in a three-month rehabilitation program at a local facility. It’s not the first time the jockey has sought professional help for his substance abuse issues–another stint was as recent as 2016. But this has been the most concerted effort yet, he said, to wrestle the demons under control.

“This one was not a resort. It was not a vacation. It was not intended to buy some time,” he said. “I learned a lot about myself and came back to reality. There’s a lot of people who certainly care about me, love me and they were deeply concerned.”

One of those family members who has proven resiliently loyal is his brother, trainer Keith Desormeaux, for whom the jockey has two mounts at Santa Anita Saturday and Sunday

“He has always had my best interest at hand,” said Desormeaux. “He has long told me that what I’ve just gone through was needed for quite some time. He’s not sticking by me just this weekend. He’s stuck by me through thick and thin before.”

Desormeaux explained that, as a condition of his license, he is required to undergo routine testing.

“I have a very restricted license,” he said. “I get tested often, and there’s not enough lapse of time for me to use ever. I can’t use at all. Not weekends. Not days off. At all.”

The plan moving forward is very simple, Desormeaux said. “Sticking to the program,” he said, in reference to both alcohol and narcotics anonymous meetings. “You know how they say, ‘you live to learn and learn to live?’ I’ve learned how to live, and now I can move on and live to learn.”

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