"Jockey Faces Huge Fine and License Suspension After 'Robbery' Claims as Bettors Push to Overturn £890,000 Win"

Table of Contents

• Jockey Fined and Suspended
• Whip Rule Breach Details
• Punters' Reactions
• Responsible Gambling

A JOCKEY has been fined significantly and had his license suspended, as bettors called for his £890,000 win to be revoked.

Chad Schofield faced disciplinary action from stewards after admitting guilt to two separate rule violations during his exciting Lexus Champions Mile victory on 4-1 Ceolwulf at Flemington, Australia.

Chad Schofield riding Ceolwulf on the far side narrowly defeats Pericles in a thrilling Lexus Champions Mile – but is fined and suspended after the victoryCredit: Getty Schofield is banned from racing for a month and forfeits a third of his winnings due to two rule violations in his significant winCredit: Getty

Schofield edged out Ben Melham, who rode the 18-1 Pericles, in a close photo finish.

However, his use of the whip, which he employed nine times before the 100m mark—four more than the five-whip limit—landed him in trouble.

He was fined £17,000—approximately one-third of his winnings—and received an 11-meeting suspension for this violation.

A further charge of careless riding, of which he was found guilty, resulted in an 18-meeting ban.

This means Schofield will be sidelined for a month starting November 16.

While the victory remains, some bettors felt cheated as Melham followed the rules yet lost by just a nose.

Those who bet on Pericles argued that the horse likely would have won had Schofield not violated the rules twice.

This sparked further debate about the enforcement of the rule, with one expert stating that the rules should be strictly enforced.

In other words, if a jockey exceeds the whip limit, they should face disqualification without exception.

With the substantial prizes available during the Spring Carnival in Australia, some jockeys may be willing to accept the financial penalty as a risk, given the large rewards for winning.

One bettor commented on X: “The race should be overturned. It’s unfair to the jockey who abides by the rules.”

Another added: “If you break the rules, you should forfeit your prize.”

“I just can’t understand how the rules don’t impact the outcome,” said a third.

Another user commented on a photo of the finish: “Why isn’t he disqualified for