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A file photo taken on November 5, 2002, shows Australian jockey Damien Oliver winning the in the four million dollar (1.8 million USD) Melbourne Cup on Media Puzzle, in Melbourne. (AFP)
Champion jockey Damien Oliver was Tuesday banned from racing for 10 months after blaming his marriage breakdown for a decision to put money on a rival horse that won a race in which he was riding.
The Australian two-time Melbourne Cup winner was suspended for eight months over the betting scandal and was slapped with another two-month ban for using a mobile phone in the jockeys' room prior to the race, which is prohibited.
"I want to apologise to the racing industry. I'm deeply sorry for my actions," Oliver said in brief comments after the Racing Victoria hearing.
The betting charge related to a race two years ago at Moonee Valley in Melbourne in which Oliver, 40, breached the rules by betting Aus$10,000 (US$10,400) via a third party on eventual winner and favourite Miss Octopussy.
Oliver's horse, second favourite Europa Point, finished sixth.
Jockeys are banned from betting on any horse, while betting on a horse in the same race is one of the "gravest breaches" of Australian racing laws.
During the hearing, Oliver reportedly broke down in tears as he admitted the offences, telling of psychological stress brought on by a temporary split from his wife and a battle with alcohol.
"I felt despondent and had lost my belief in my ability as a jockey," Oliver told the hearing, ABC radio reported.
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