A senior New Zealand jockey who was the first horseman in the country to fail an on-course breath test was back in court today after being caught driving more than four times over the limit.
Ryan Joel Bishop, 28, was struggling to deal with the death of his closest friend a week earlier when he drove home drunk from a mate's place about 12.50am on August 16.
He was pulled over by police on Yaldhurst Rd, near his Canterbury home, and recorded a breath alcohol reading of 1056 micrograms (mcg) per litre of breath. The new limit, introduced last year, is 250mcg.
In 2008, Bishop, was an apprentice when he was stood down from riding at Riverton in Southland after an official suspected he had been drinking.
The breath-testing of jockeys on course was only introduced in November 2007.
Bishop was breathalysed and became the first to record an alcohol reading.
Today when he appeared Christchurch District Court, defence counsel Tony Garrett explained he was driving "a short distance home after drinks with a friend".
His closest friend had died around a week earlier and Mr Garrett said that Bishop was "struggling to deal with it".
In the courtroom today, he had the support of veteran jockey Terry Mosley and a Salvation Army officer who is part of mentoring system for jockeys in the racing industry.
Bishop has since taken advice and undergone counselling, Mr Garrett said.
He has two previous drink drive convictions from 2005 and 2006, the court heard.
Although a sentence of community work would normally be granted in such a situation, Mr Garrett said that Bishop had a busy spring racing programme that meant he was "virtually non stop till Easter".
Judge John Strettell was concerned by the "grossly excessive" reading.
He accepted that community work would affect his ability to work as a top jockey.
But he warned Bishop that any further slip-ups could affect his job.
Judge Strettell fined him $1750 and disqualified him from driving for three months. He also ordered an alcohol interlock device to be fitted to his vehicle.
