Luke Tarrant, who is serving a 12-month disqualification from racing for a separate offence, was refused bail when he appeared before magistrates
Luke Tarrant: remanded in custody by magistrates(Image: Albert Perez/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)
A former star jockey has been remanded in custody facing three charges of armed robbery. Luke Tarrant, who is serving a 12-month disqualification from racing for a separate offence, was refused bail when he appeared before magistrates in Caloundra, Queensland, Australia last week.
Tarrant was charged with three counts of robbery while armed, entering premises with intent to commit an indictable offence and possessing dangerous drugs, according to Racenet.com. The offence of robbery carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison which can rise to a life sentence for a case involving armed robbery, committed with others or involves personal violence.
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Tarrant will return to court on March 19.
The 31-year-old Tarrant who last rode in August, has ridden 502 winners, including three Group race winners. His biggest victory came in 2015 when he rode the winner of the Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
In 2020 he was banned for six months after admitting to headbutting another jockey in the weighing room.
In October last year he was disqualified for one year after he refused to give evidence to a stewards’ inquiry investigating the alleged falsification of health assessment forms used for licensing.
The case had been referred to Queensland’s Racing Integrity Commission before which 31-year-old Tarrant was directed to enter a plea, but after four weeks there was no response.
In a ruling the Commission panel said: “Despite being directed to give evidence at the inquiry and subsequently invited on multiple occasions to enter a plea and to provide submissions in mitigation on penalty, no plea was entered, and no written or oral submissions were received.
“Mr Tarrant’s conduct is serious because it attacks the integrity framework that safeguards participant welfare and sustains public confidence in wagering. Licensed people are obliged to assist inquiries, not to decide what evidence they will give. Appeal authorities emphasise the protective purpose of sanction in this area.”
The report continued: “Stewards are of the view that a disqualification is warranted in the circumstances. A disqualification for a period of twelve (12) months, effective from the date of this decision commencing 8 October 2025 concluding 8 October 2026.”
