Racing NSW stewards have rejected an attempt by prominent thoroughbred owner Brae Sokolski to run a horse at Warwick Farm on Wednesday in rejected colours including a resemblance to the Israel flag.
Sokolski, a Jewish man best known for his ownership stakes in 2019 Everest winner Yes Yes Yes and champion mare Verry Elleegant, recently changed the jockey silks of his Yes Bloodstock from tartan green to khaki with a blue and white hooped section on each arm closely resembling the Israeli flag. The change came amid attacks on Iran by the US and Israel.
Harry Met Sally’s new colours at Ballarat.Credit: Bradley Photos
The Mark Walker-trained Harry Met Sally carried the new colours to victory in a two-year-old maiden at Ballarat on Tuesday.
There was an attempt to use the colours on the Mick Price and Michael Kent jnr-trained Freight Train in race five at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The registration of colours is handled by state racing authorities. Racing NSW chief steward Tom Moxon said an application was made to have the colours registered in NSW, but it was refused.
RNSW stewards were made aware of the colour change and likely attempt to use them on Wednesday via a post from Andrew Hawkins on X. They then instructed jockey Chad Schofield to instead use the Australian Turf Club’s colours. Price was told after the race the colours were not to be used.
Brae Sokolski with Verry Elleegant in 2022.Credit: Steven Siewert
“I understand that they’ve been registered in another PRA [Principal Racing Authority], but due to the fact that the attempt to have them registered here was rejected, they were not allowed to be used today,” Moxon said.
“It’s not really a stewarding matter. It’s for a matter for Racing NSW itself, they’re the ones who register colours.”
Regulations prohibit the use of colours for political, religious or social agendas.
Racing Victoria responded to the controversy on Wednesday, saying the colours were registered in Queensland and would not be allowed to be worn again in Victoria until directors considered the matter.
“The colours in question were officially registered in Queensland and entered into the national database before being switched onto some of Mr Sokolski’s horses that are currently stabled in Victoria,” Racing Victoria said in a statement.
“Having become aware of the design of the colours in comparison to their registered description, RV stewards contacted Mr Sokolski inviting him to make submission as to why the colours should be permitted for ongoing use in Victoria.
“As part of their formal communication with Mr Sokolski, Stewards permitted the colours to be worn at yesterday’s Ballarat meeting, given that final fields had been declared at the time of writing.
“Mr Sokolski was advised that the colours would not be permitted for use in Victoria from then until such time as the RV directors consider the matter and make a determination.”
Racing Queensland chief steward Josh Adams said on Wednesday that Sokolski’s new colours had been deregistered through Racing Australia. Adams said the silks did not match the original description that had been submitted by Sokolski and approved by the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission.
Racing Queensland was sent a photo on Wednesday by Racing NSW showing the silks that were to be worn by Sokolski’s runner Freight Train at Warwick Farm. If Sokolski wishes to use the altered silks going forward, he will have to reapply.
Sokolski was contacted for comment.
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