Thoroughbred stewards’ inquiry – rider’s agent Adam McGrath
Racing and Wagering Western Australia stewards have concluded an inquiry concerning rider’s agent Adam McGrath who, following investigation, pleaded guilty to a breach of Local Rule 120 (a) with the particulars being that as riding agent for jockey Clint Johnson-Porter, he did bet on runners ridden by him at Belmont on 4 June 2022.
After considering the matter the stewards determined to impose a fine of $1500 for this offence.
In determining penalty stewards considered, amongst other things,
- His plea of guilty, unblemished record and the extent of the breach which was confined to a small number of bets consistent with normal betting patterns
- That there were no concerns identified with respect to the integrity of the race or any suspect wagering activity
- The New South Wales appeal determination of rider’s agent Mr John Walter who was disqualified for a period of six months for a breach of the commensurate rule
- The intent of the rule, which was in part directed to addressing at least a perceived integrity issue of persons deriving a benefit by being privy to information not necessarily available to the betting public
- That his offence was a direct breach of the conditions of exemption afforded to him when maintaining his licence as a rider’s agent when the Local Rule took effect in January 2022
In determining penalty, stewards make clear to all that the outcome of this matter is not intended to set the standard of penalty for this type of offending as any future offences of a similar kind by any person may potentially result in disqualification similar to the New South Wales case which set a benchmark.
Local Rule 120 was adopted in January 2022 and is set out in the following terms.
LR 120 Except with the written permission of the stewards, any rider’s agent who:
- bets, has an interest in a bet, or facilitates a bet; or
- provides either directly or indirectly to any person for any direct or indirect financial or other benefit (regardless of whether such benefit materialises) any tip, or any other information or advice that may influence any person to bet, on any WA race in which a rider whom the rider’s agent represents (in accordance with AR1) is engaged to ride, commits an offence and may be penalised.
For the purposes of this rule, a bet includes a lay bet.