Jockey Lewis German hit with 10-year ban for throwing races for professional gambler

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Professional jockey Lewis German has been hit with a significant 10-year ban by the Victorian Racing Tribunal. German has been found guilty of participating in a betting programme that generated profits of more than £125,000. 

The most serious offence, and the one that landed the New Zealand jockey the 10-year ban, was engaging in conduct that, according to a tribunal “struck at the heart of the image and integrity of the racing industry.” 

To learn more, visit our responsible gambling in sports betting page which also offers resources and advice on where to seek help if needed. 

German’s guilty plea helped reduce the length of his ban despite stewards initially asking for a suspension of up to 20 years.

Professional gambler Noah Brash was found to have placed 89 lay bets, with stakes totalling nearly £1.2m, on German’s horses. The races took place between April and August 2022 and 87 of those 89 lay bets were successful. 

The losing rate for German’s horses was at odds with the jockey’s typical performances. German’s last race was in August 2023 and the New Zealand jockey had an 8% win rate throughout his career. As a result of the bets, Brash netted a profit of around £125,000.

During the tribunal, it was determined that German had not profited from the bets, although he had expected to. Commenting on the tribunal’s decision, German said: 

“I have not received any money. I believed there was going to be money. I was told that I would be paid at the start but I was probably gullible at the time.”

The tribunal also took German’s guilty plea under consideration while deciding on sentencing, stating: 

“I am here today to plead my guilt.” However, he did go on to say: “I feel that penalties that the stewards are pushing for are, in my opinion, ridiculous.”

A representative for the Racing Victoria Stewards, Adrian Anderson, said they had initially been pushing for a 20-year suspension. During the hearing, Anderson said: 

“Taking into account Mr German’s plea and various other matters that exist in his favour, the minimum penalty for this charge would be 15 years.” 

German was found guilty on multiple charges. He received a 10-year suspension for damaging the image and integrity of the sport. He was also charged with not reporting an illegal approach from a bettor who, in 2022, offered the jockey £2,200 to ride the horse not to its merits.

German did not accept the payment, but he failed to report the approach to stewards despite a requirement to do so. He received a six-month sentence, to run concurrently to the ten-year ban. 

He also received a three-month suspension for failing to disclose that he held two betting accounts. Another charge regarding the provision of information to Brash was withdrawn during the tribunal. 

While handing down the sentence, Judge John Bowman said: “We are of the view that the appropriate penalty for this offence is a disqualification for a period of ten years.” 

German’s suspension is effective immediately and means that the jockey will not be able to ride professionally again until 2035.