Suspended sentence for stablehand involved in jump out drama

A Racing NSW inquiry has found a stablehand guilty of improper conduct after he was filmed striking a jockey with a whip during jump-outs at Muswellbrook late last month, footage that later circulated widely on social media.

The incident occurred on November 26, when Paul Ralston was positioned at the barriers as horses were loaded for a jump out. Stewards found he raised his whip and struck a female jockey on the buttocks as the field jumped away.

A video of the moment, posted to a Facebook account under his name, amassed almost 250,000 views and hundreds of reactions, prompting industry criticism and a formal investigation.

Ralston pleaded not guilty to two charges: engaging in unseemly behaviour and acting in a manner prejudicial to the image and welfare of racing. Stewards rejected his defence on both counts, determining the conduct was unacceptable and carried a risk to the rider involved.

While Ralston was issued a three-month suspension, stewards opted to wholly suspend the penalty for 12 months on the condition he commits no further breaches. The panel said considerations included the seriousness of the conduct, the need for deterrence, and the reputational impact of the widely shared footage.

Ralston was informed of his right to appeal.