Newcastle jockey Aaron Bullock was reportedly suspended for nine months on Thursday at a Racing NSW stewards inquiry into a positive test for a prohibited substance.
Bullock faced stewards at Wyong after a urine sample he provided on October 29 at Newcastle returned traces of a banned substance.
Although no statement was released by stewards on Thursday, it was reported on Sky Racing that Bullock had been given a nine-month suspension. The Herald attempted to contact Bullock for comment.
The former Singleton hoop had his best season in 2017-18, riding 107 winners in NSW while working for leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees.
He had his biggest win last season when aboard the David Atkins-trained Jonker in the Wyong Magic Millions. He also had his first metropolitan victory when piloting the Lees-trained Sugar Bella in January. He backed that up in August when scoring an emotional win on Magic Choir at Randwick for mentor and former boss Todd Howlett.
However, Bullock’s most recent race ride was on September 15. He has struggled with his weight but has continued to ride trackwork.
The Herald was told the positive sample was taken from Bullock at his home after stewards came to Newcastle Racecourse to test jockeys at trackwork.
Bullock pleaded guilty to affray in 2009 and served a 12-month suspension from racing.
