ONE of Queensland's top jockeys, Jim Byrne, has been suspended from riding for a month after being charged with riding in barrier trials when found to have a banned substance in his system.
Byrne pleaded guilty to the charge and Racing Queensland stewards suspended him from riding in races until April 12.
Below is a Stewards' Report of the Byrne inquiry:
Racing Queensland Limited Stewards today inquired into the analyst’s finding regarding the presence of a banned substance in a urine sample supplied by Jockey Jim Byrne at the Brisbane Racing Club’s official barrier trials at Doomben on 14 February 2012.
After taking evidence from Jockey J. Byrne, Stewards issued a charge under AR81A(1)(a) in that he did present himself to ride at such barrier trials when a sample taken from him, upon analysis, was found to contain the banned substance didesmethylsibutramine, which is a metabolite of the anorectic, sibutramine.
J. Byrne pleaded guilty to the charge and after considering his submissions on penalty Stewards suspended his license to ride in races for a period of 4 weeks from 16 March 2012, the date J. Byrne was originally stood down from riding, and to expire at midnight on 12 April 2012.
J. Byrne was further advised of his appeal rights.
