Seven-year ban after fixing race

David Walker. Photo / Glenn Taylor

David Walker's career as a jockey is virtually over after the 38-year-old yesterday copped a seven-year ban for not giving his own ride every chance to win a race in which he'd already bet on a rival.

It amounted to horse racing's most serious offence.

Seven years' disqualification, which means no contact with horses or racetracks, is virtually a life sentence.

Although jockeys can survive through to their 50s and ride well, it is with constant contact. A seven-year gap is almost impossible to overcome.

Walker was quoted on Monday as saying if he was given six months away from racing he would almost certainly find whatever he filled that time in with more enjoyable than race riding. He now has a different consideration.

"Mr Walker's actions threatened the very fabric of New Zealand racing and the strong penalty applied by the JCA [Judicial Control Authority] panel sends a signal that the industry holds the integrity of racing at the highest priority," Racing Integrity Unit general manager Mike Godber said.

"The message is clear, serious breaches such as this case will have severe consequences for those involved.

"The Walker case serves to illustrate the effectiveness of the RIU's systems of surveillance of racing and betting and its investigation processes." Walker pleaded guilty to two charges of having bet on a rival horse in a race he was riding in and elected to defend two charges of not allowing the horses he rode to finish in the best possible position.

He was found not guilty on one of those charges, but guilty on the other.

In his defence, Walker claimed his cheating was influenced by his desire to feed his family.

Jockeys' earnings are declared on the NZ Thoroughbred website on a weekly basis.

Last season, to the end of the 2013-14 season, Walker earned $89,322 and that did not include scratching fees, or trials rides. His total income was over $100,000.