Former jockey Michael Poy has been banned from racing for 13 years and six months after the Victorian Racing Tribunal found him guilty of illegal betting conduct that struck at the heart of the sport’s integrity.
The hefty disqualification was handed down on Thursday, with VRT chairman Judge John Bowman describing Poy’s actions as tantamount to “race result fixing” and warning of the serious damage such conduct can inflict on public trust in racing.
“You willfully engaged in behaviour that strikes at the very heart of the racing industry,” Judge Bowman said. “Conduct such as yours has the capacity to inflict great damage upon the image of racing and public confidence in its integrity.”
Poy, a former apprentice jockey, faced eight serious charges stemming from a scheme between April and August 2022 in which he conspired with punter Noah Brash to lay losing bets against his own mounts – and on those of fellow jockey Lewis German – via encrypted messages.
Staggeringly, all 46 of the lay bets placed against Poy’s rides during the period were successful.
The tribunal accepted a psychologist’s report outlining Poy’s mental health challenges, which it said left him vulnerable to external influence.
However, Judge Bowman made it clear that the severity of the offences demanded a punishment that would act as a deterrent.
“You were not a puppet on a string,” he said.
Poy becomes the final figure to be penalised in the betting ring scandal, which also saw German disqualified for 10 years, Brash warned off for 10 years, and another punter, Jacob Foltyowizc, also banned.
Racing Victoria stewards had pushed for a 20-year disqualification, but the tribunal settled on the 13.5-year term for the most serious charge, with all lesser penalties to be served concurrently.
Michael Poy Charges
- 13 years and 6 months disqualification for Charge 19 (integrity-related offence)
- 2 years disqualification each for Charges 3, 4, and 7 (jockey betting on races in which he rode)
- 12 months disqualification each for Charges 5 and 8 (messages to a punter about future lay bets)
- 6 months suspension each for Charges 1 and 2 (failing to declare betting accounts)
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