A top jockey has been hit with a 25-year ban from racing after being found guilty of sexual misconduct by Racing NSW.
James Innes Jnr, 30, faced eight charges under the rule of racing, with his ban since being confirmed.
The Australian racer now sees himself banned from the sport until 2050 and represents one of the most severe sanctions in racing history.
While the nature of the charges was initially withheld, it was revealed that the allegations related to assault and harassment against Innes Jnr, which allegedly took place at both a stable and licensed premises.
The jockey chose not to contest either the guilty verdict or the imposed sanction.
The 30-year-old had initially been suspended from riding on September 11 before receiving the significant formal disqualification.
James Innes Jnr has been fit with a 25-year ban from racing after being found guilty of sexual misconduct by Racing NSW.
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While the matter has been referred to NSW Police according to Idol Horse, authorities have not confirmed whether they will pursue a separate criminal investigation, and no criminal charges have been filed to date.
Wayne Pasterfield, a defence lawyer who has represented Innes Jnr in the past, spoke to News Corp about his relationship with the jockey.
"I represented him [Innes Jnr] on a running and handling charge on a horse called Grebeni," Pasterfield said.
"He called me about six weeks ago to ask for advice on a case, and I assume it's the one he has since been charged with.
"I told him not to appear at any inquiry, but I haven't heard from him since."
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A Group 1 winner, Innes Jnr’s most notable achievement came during the Covid pandemic when he guided 40-1 chance Nettoyer to victory in the 2020 Doncaster Mile at an empty Randwick racecourse.
The triumph, worth over £500,000 in prize money, left him in tears as he returned to the weighing room.
James Innes Jnr has won 331 victories and famously guided Nettoyer to victory in the 2020 Doncaster Mile
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Throughout his decade-long career, Innes Jr accumulated an astonishing 331 victories and earned approximately £6.5million in prize money.
His mounts generated more than $13million Australian dollars in total earnings.
The lightweight rider also secured two Group 3 victories alongside his career-defining Group 1 success.
He primarily operated across New South Wales provincial and country tracks, as well as in Canberra.
Innes Jr last competed on August 30 at Kembla Grange racecourse, having two rides that day.