Racing Victoria are calling on racing participants to dob in punters who abuse them, with integrity officials even offering to help some threats be reported to police.
In note published in Inside Racing, an industry publication for participants, Racing Victoria say they are aware of trainers and jockeys who are being abused and according to the note, even threatened via email.
That’s not to say jockeys aren’t coping it too – but their abuse, and there is plenty, usually comes via social media.
Racing Victoria revealed they have tracked down some of those responsible for the abuse and acted.
Betsy asked whether we could promote any examples of their good work or when they have intervened or handed out punishments, but they declined to comment. It is understood, however, the vast majority of abuse is from emails with fake names.
‘’Racing Victoria Integrity Department are aware of licensed persons receiving abusive emails from punters which have been aggressive and occasionally even threatening,’’ the published note said.
‘’Recipients of these emails are encouraged in the first instance to contact the Racing Victoria Intelligence Unit.
‘’Racing Victoria Intelligence Unit are keeping a log of the emails and also where possible try to identify the author (which can be very difficult due to fake names and email addresses being used), some however have been identified and as a result action has been taken against them.
‘’ In addition to the above, should an email contain threatening material or an intention to harm or damage, the recipient is strongly encouraged to contact Victoria Police directly to report the matter. Racing Victoria are unable to submit a complaint on the recipients’ behalf as it must be directly reported by them to Victoria Police.’’
Victorian Jockeys’ Association boss Matt Hyland said most the abuse his members receive is via social media.
There are several accounts, often nameless, set-up to purely abuse jockeys after a race.
Hyland said some jockeys are now so use to criticism, much of it highly defamatory and inappropriate, he feels it doesn’t affect them like it once did.
‘’I really think that it’s got to the point where they almost they just disregard it because it’s the way of the world with social media,’’ he said.
‘’I am not saying that it’s right or it should be dismissed, but it’s now where we find ourselves.
‘’ I can tell you that largely the group sort of manage it themselves. They don’t come to us with those complaints and I am sure they cop plenty of it on social media. But it’s sort of part and parcel of the territory in their mind.’’
Hyland said there had been examples where they have had Racing Victoria intervene, but it’s rare.
‘’It was an owner that abused a jockey for a ride, and he sent it to Racing Victoria and said ‘this bloke sent me this’,’’ Hyland said.
”I think that bloke got cautioned or you got, you know, he got whether it was reprimand or fined
‘’There was also a period of time where some broadcasters or certain people were making commentary on social media and we were sort of saying hang on a minute, like this bloke’s in racing and he’s making comments about someone’s ride or slaughtered this or slaughtered that.
‘’Can we can we just keep it into context? Constructive criticism is okay, but there is a fine line.’’
