Mark Zahra fifth jockey to face three-month ban after Covid breach party

Top Australian jockey Mark Zahra has been banned from the spring carnival after it was revealed he attended the illegal party in Victoria on Wednesday night that led to four other jockeys being suspended.

Stewards say they became aware of Zahra's attendance at the notorious Airbnb gathering in Mornington on Saturday after jockeys Jamie Kah, Ben Melham, Ethan Brown and Celine Gaudray had already been handed suspensions for breaching Covid-19 rules.

The stewards' report stated: "Racing Victoria stewards today interviewed licensed jockey Mark Zahra after having received information that he may have also been in attendance at the Airbnb in Mornington on Wednesday August 25, 2021 which resulted in four other licensed jockeys pleading guilty to a breach of the rules."

Speculation was rife in racing circles that another jockey was present at the party prompting swift action from the stewards on Saturday.

The Caulfield Cup-winning jockey pleaded guilty when interviewed by stewards and will be banned from competing for three months alongside the other jockeys, starting from midnight on Saturday.

The leading jockey had not ridden since suffering an injury at Flemington this month, but was eyeing a return next Saturday and was set to ride Cox Plate fancy Verry Elleegant in October.

Airbnb Covid breach jockeys to miss spring carnival after bans

There is also a possibility the four jockeys who were originally interviewed by stewards may face further investigation for not revealing Zahra's presence.

The report said: "The penalty must be seen to publicly address the seriousness of the offending and make clear that compliance with the Covid-19 protocols is non-negotiable.

"Given that the stewards were unaware until late today that Mark Zahra was also in attendance at the Airbnb in Mornington on August 25, 2021, the stewards will give consideration to the evidence tendered by all five jockeys in relation to the inquiry."

Kah, Melham, Brown and Guadray were fined $5,452 by Victoria Police for attending the party in violation of strict lockdown laws.

Their actions not only drew the ire of Racing Victoria, but also the Victoria state government, with health minister Martin Foley saying he was "bitterly disappointed in their actions".

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