NSW stablehand disqualified over social media posts

[Murray Fish]

Licensed stablehand Sarah Kellermeier has been disqualified for 10 months after Racing NSW found she posted improper social media comments and repeatedly failed to comply with official directions.   Racing NSW’s integrity department launched an investigation on October 22 after a complaint about comments posted under Kellermeier’s name on the public Facebook page Australian Horse Racing. The posts, made during discussion about jockey James Innes Jnr’s disqualification, were ruled prejudicial to the image and integrity of the sport.   Stewards found the Facebook account belonged to Kellermeier, whose profile is publicly identifiable as a racing industry participant. She was interviewed the next day and directed to provide evidence her account had been hacked, but failed to do so.   Kellermeier was then ordered to appear at a stewards’ inquiry on November Wednesday, but she did not attend. The matter proceeded based on a brief prepared by Racing NSW investigator Anna Tabet.   Stewards issued three charges and directed Kellermeier to appear for their determination on Friday. She again failed to attend and the hearing proceeded in her absence.   She was found guilty of conduct detrimental to the interests of racing, failing to comply with a direction from the General Manager of Investigations, and failing to attend a stewards’ hearing.   Stewards cited her lack of cooperation, the seriousness of the conduct, and the need for deterrence in assessing penalty. They imposed four months for the social media misconduct, three months for failing to comply with directions, and six months for failing to attend a hearing.   With the latter two served concurrently, the total disqualification is 10 months, effective from November 7 and September 7, 2026.   Kellermeier was informed of her appeal rights.

[hesi]

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