Top Jockey James Innes Jnr Receives 25-Year Ban for Sexual Misconduct
In a significant development in the racing world, top Australian jockey James Innes Jnr has been handed a staggering 25-year ban from racing after being found guilty of sexual misconduct by Racing NSW. The 30-year-old jockey faced eight serious charges under the rules of racing, and his ban has now been officially confirmed, marking one of the harshest penalties in the history of the sport.
Initially, the specifics of the allegations were kept under wraps. However, it has since come to light that the charges involve incidents of assault and harassment occurring at both stables and licensed premises. Innes Jnr opted not to contest the guilty verdict or the lengthy ban, which will prevent him from participating in racing until 2050.
This decision follows his initial suspension from riding on September 11, leading up to the formal disqualification. Racing NSW has also referred the matter to NSW Police, although authorities have yet to determine if any separate criminal investigation will be pursued, and as of now, no criminal charges have been filed.
Wayne Pasterfield, a defense lawyer who has previously represented Innes Jnr, commented on their relationship, revealing, "I represented him on a running and handling charge related to a horse named Grebeni. He contacted me about six weeks ago for advice on a case, which I assume is the one he has been charged with. I advised him not to appear at any inquiry, but I haven’t heard from him since."
Innes Jnr’s career has been marked by notable achievements, including a Group 1 victory during the COVID-19 pandemic when he rode the 40-1 outsider Nettoyer to a stunning win in the 2020 Doncaster Mile at an empty Randwick racecourse. This victory not only earned him over £500,000 in prize money but also left him emotional as he returned to the weighing room.
Over his impressive decade-long career, James Innes Jnr has secured an impressive total of 331 wins, earning approximately £6.5 million in prize money. His mounts have collectively generated over $13 million AUD in earnings. In addition to his Group 1 triumph, he has also celebrated two Group 3 victories, mainly competing across New South Wales provincial and country tracks, as well as in Canberra.
Innes Jnr’s last appearance on the racetrack was on August 30 at Kembla Grange, where he had two rides that day. As this story develops, the racing community watches closely, reflecting on the severity of the actions that led to such a significant ban and the implications for the sport as a whole.
