James McDonald loses third appeal

Jockey James McDonald has lost his latest appeal against an 18-month ban imposed by Racing NSW stewards for betting on a horse he rode.

McDonald’s third attempt to appeal the severity of the suspension failed in the Supreme Court of NSW.

The former Godolphin jockey was suspended after placing a $1000 bet on Astern before he rode the horse to victory at Randwick in December 2015.

McDonald’s lawyer Bret Walker SC had argued racing stewards made an error in taking into account the mandatory minimum disqualification period when “special circumstances” applied to McDonald.

Justice Nigel Rein released his judgment on Friday, upholding the period of disqualification and ordering McDonald to pay court costs to Racing NSW.

McDonald can resume riding on May 15, 2018.