Zac Purton fined HK$40,000 for misconduct after Covid-related tweet

Champion jockey Zac Purton has been fined HK$40,000 (£3,900/€4,200) for misconduct after sending a tweet questioning if a fellow rider in Hong Kong had tested positive for Covid-19.

Purton’s message appeared shortly before it was revealed that Christophe Soumillon would miss Sunday’s valuable International fixture due to needing further tests to determine whether he was clear of the virus.

Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) stewards interviewed Purton on Friday and found he had breached rule 155 (5), having sent a tweet from his personal account that read: “Has a jockey in Hong Kong tested positive for Covid?”

Sha Tin Sunday card

The message was deemed by stewards to have “the potential to create uncertainty regarding the continuance of racing in Hong Kong in the immediate future”.

The stewards added: “Having considered the circumstances of this case, as well as Purton’s previous record in respect of misconduct related matters, the stewards deemed the appropriate penalty be a fine of HK$40,000.”

Purton, who landed the International Jockeys Challenge at Happy Valley on Wednesday, rides leading contenders Exultant in the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase and Beauty Generation in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile on Sunday.

Beauty Generation: among Zac Purton's rides on SundayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Jockey Vincent CY Ho will also be permitted to ride on Sunday despite informing Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) officials of a potential Covid-19 case in his building.

Ho, who returned negative Covid-19 tests on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, has moved from his residence and will not ride trackwork on Saturday.

While Soumillon, who missed the Breeders’ Cup due to a positive Covid-19 test, will not be able to ride on Sunday, the HKJC confirmed on Friday his most recent Covid-19 test returned negative.

Officials added the earliest date he could resume riding in Hong Kong was December 20.

Read more if you were interested in this:

Soumillon to miss Hong Kong rides after failing to satisfy Covid-19 protocols

Soumillon misses Tarnawa Breeders' Cup ride after testing positive for Covid-19

France introduces mandatory Covid-19 tests for jockeys after spate of positive tests

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