An Irish jump jockey has admitted to ‘sexually harassing’ a 16-year-old female stable worker by bombarding her with inappropriate messages, a disciplinary tribunal has heard. Edward Keating, 34, who worked in a stable in Victoria, Australia from March 2023 to December 2024 and rode one winner from 54 mounts, is now employed in Britain.
He admitted to the sexual harassment of a stable employee, who was 16 at the time, through a series of Instagram direct messages when the case was heard by a Victoria Racing Tribunal. Over a span of four to five days, the messages included: “When was the last time you had sex? ?”, “Haha when you have a body like you do people won’t be looking at your hair”, “Awh cute, you still didn’t answer, I’m starting to think you’re a virgin which is okay, I don’t mind.”
He also said: “Well if you want to have sex just between the two of us don’t tell anyone else I’ll look after you and make sure you enjoy it too but if you say no I respect that too.”
The tribunal noted “there was no actual or attempted physical contact” between Keating and the teenager.
The 16-year-old informed her mother who reported Keating to an assistant trainer and then the police. No action was taken by the police but Keating’s visa sponsorship was cancelled and he lost his job.
The tribunal heard that Keating was “greatly remorseful” and was experiencing mental health issues at the time, for which he had not sought any professional help.
He admitted to stewards that he believed the teenager was 17, but conceded his messages were “extremely inappropriate”.
In the tribunal decision released on Friday, VRT deputy chair Judge Marilyn Harbison and Ms Judy Bourke stated: “It is clear that the messages constituted sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is a very serious issue in the racing industry.
“Young people who work in this industry have a right to be protected against the predations of older persons having authority over them.
“Mr Keating was a mature man who took advantage of his position to harass a vulnerable child. This is outrageous conduct, whether he thought she was 16 or 17, we have a responsibility to denounce it.
“The Instagram messaging is clearly grooming behaviour and has no place in the racing industry. The reputation of the racing industry is clearly diminished by such conduct. The conduct has had a disastrous effect on the victim and her family.”
Under the disqualification, Keating will no longer be able to be licensed as a jockey or enter licensed premises, such as a racing stable or racecourse. He apologised for his actions and described them as a “terrible mistake”.
The BHA confirmed he is a registered member of stable staff in Britain. The regulator had been aware of the inquiry, putting safeguarding measures in place while it was ongoing.
Unless Keating lodges an appeal in Victoria, he has three days from the conclusion of the inquiry to apply to the BHA for the disqualification not to be reciprocated.