Racing NSW suspends Stephen Braybrook over improper conduct

Racing NSW stewards have suspended licensed Randwick stablehand Stephen Braybrook for one month after finding him guilty of two charges of improper conduct connected to a female industry participant.

The charges under AR228(b) arose from separate incidents at Randwick Racecourse, the Racing NSW stewards’ decision said.

The first took place in or around early June 2026, when Braybrook directed comments towards the participant about her suitability to ride a thoroughbred. Stewards allocated a starting penalty of three months’ suspension for that charge.

The second incident, on or about July 10, involved a threat of physical violence by Braybrook against the same participant. That charge carried a starting penalty of one month.

The inquiry considered a brief compiled by Racing NSW investigator Ethan Pitt, together with oral evidence from Braybrook and other industry participants. Braybrook pleaded guilty to both charges.

Stewards applied the principle of totality to set an overall penalty of three months before reducing it to eight weeks, taking into account his guilty pleas and other penalty considerations.

Under AR283(5), the suspension of one month from the eight-week penalty was deferred for 12 months, provided Braybrook did not breach a related rule during that period.

The operative one-month suspension began on August 25 and runs until September 25.