REVEALED: Riders Amy Graham and Casey Waddell have been suspended permanently by the BHA as stewards investigate videos showing them using a mysterious white powder, with fans reacting in shock after evidence emerged from a ‘urine test’

In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the world of British horse racing, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has issued permanent suspensions to jockeys Amy Graham and Casey Waddell following the emergence of compromising videos depicting them using what appears to be a mysterious white powder. The decision, announced on September 19, 2025, comes amid an ongoing investigation into the footage, which surfaced online earlier this week, and has been compounded by positive results from mandatory urine tests. Fans, trainers, and fellow riders alike have expressed profound dismay, with social media platforms lighting up in a frenzy of disbelief and calls for stricter oversight in the sport.

The scandal broke on September 16 when two short videos began circulating on social media, allegedly filmed in a private setting on Queensland’s Gold Coast earlier this year. In the first clip, 28-year-old apprentice jockey Amy Graham is seen leaning over a bench, snorting a white substance from a saucer. She then straightens up, flashes a smile at the camera, and waves two fingers in a casual gesture that now seems hauntingly nonchalant. The second video features Casey Waddell, also 28, dipping her pinky finger into a small container of the same powdery material before rubbing it into her gums—a method often associated with cocaine consumption. Though the videos were initially linked to Australian racing circles, where both women hold licenses, the BHA’s involvement escalated the matter due to their recent stints riding in the UK under reciprocal agreements.

The BHA, which oversees anti-doping and integrity in British racing, wasted no time in responding. Stewards from the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) initially stood the pair down from all riding duties pending further inquiry, a move that aligned with BHA protocols for international license holders. But the plot thickened dramatically on September 18 when urine samples, collected immediately after the videos surfaced, returned positive for cocaine metabolites. Sources close to the investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the tests exceeded the BHA’s zero-tolerance threshold for performance-impairing substances. Under the authority’s Anti-Doping Rules, which mandate random and targeted testing for jockeys, any detection of banned substances like cocaine—classified as both performance-inhibiting and a risk to welfare—triggers severe penalties. Permanent suspension, the harshest sanction available short of criminal charges, was imposed after a swift review of the evidence, effectively barring Graham and Waddell from ever holding a BHA license again.

Amy Graham, who burst onto the scene in 2022 with a promising tally of 68 winners in Queensland alone, has had a turbulent career marked by personal tragedy. Just three years ago, she survived a harrowing incident during a late-night swim at Surfers Paradise, where her fellow jockey Chris Caserta tragically drowned after being caught in a rip current. Graham struggled to shore but has spoken publicly about the emotional scars that linger. Her fall from grace is all the more poignant; she was last seen riding at Kilcoy provincials on September 7, guiding a long-shot to victory in a race that now feels like a distant memory. In a statement to stewards, Graham admitted to ingesting the substance, describing it as a “one-off silly mistake” made while under the influence. She claimed the video was captured by Waddell during a period when they shared a house on the Gold Coast, but the two have since fallen out acrimoniously. Graham further alleged a “vendetta” behind the leak, insisting she was unaware of being filmed and that the footage was weaponized in their personal dispute.

Casey Waddell, meanwhile, has maintained a lower profile in recent months. The seasoned rider hasn’t competed since August 9 and is currently holidaying in Europe, where she submitted a detailed defense to QRIC stewards ahead of a planned return on September 22. In her account, Waddell denied knowledge of the recording, emphasizing that the incident was isolated and not indicative of habitual behavior. However, the urine test results—conducted under BHA-supervised protocols—undermined her claims, revealing traces consistent with recent use. Waddell, who once roomed with Graham, has not commented publicly since the suspensions, but insiders suggest she is consulting legal advisors to challenge the permanence of the ban, potentially through an appeal to the BHA’s independent disciplinary panel.

The reaction from the racing community has been one of collective horror. On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtag #JockeyScandal trended globally within hours of the BHA’s announcement, amassing over 150,000 posts by midday September 20. Prominent trainer Michael Bell tweeted, “This is a heartbreaking blow to the sport we love. These young women had so much ahead—now it’s all ashes. We need better support systems, not just punishments.” Fans echoed his sentiment, with one viral thread from user @RacingFanUK reading, “Watched Amy win at Ascot last summer—talent like that gone in a puff? Shocked doesn’t cover it. Urine test seals it, but how did we miss the signs?” Others expressed fury at the perceived leniency of past scandals, drawing parallels to the 2022 Medina Spirit doping controversy in the US, where a Kentucky Derby winner was stripped of its title after a positive betamethasone test. “BHA’s zero tolerance is finally teeth,” posted @HorseWhispererPro, garnering 12,000 likes. Yet, not all responses were condemnatory; a vocal minority defended the jockeys, arguing for rehabilitation over exile, with petitions circulating online for a second chance post-treatment.

This incident underscores deeper fissures in horse racing’s battle against substance abuse. The BHA’s rigorous testing regime, which includes out-of-competition samples analyzed at accredited labs like LGC, has long been hailed as a gold standard, but critics argue it reactive rather than preventive. Jockeys face immense pressure—maintaining razor-sharp weight, enduring grueling schedules, and coping with the sport’s inherent dangers—often in isolation. Data from the Professional Jockeys Association reveals that over 20% of riders have sought mental health support in the last year, with substance use cited as a coping mechanism in anonymous surveys. The authority has pledged an internal review, promising enhanced education programs and peer support networks, but for now, the focus remains on enforcement.

As the dust settles, the void left by Graham and Waddell is palpable. Tracks like Newmarket and Epsom, where they occasionally plied their trade, buzz with whispers of “what if.” Their suspensions not only end promising careers but also tarnish the sport’s image at a time when attendance is rebounding post-pandemic. Stewards continue to probe the videos’ origins, including potential leaks from private devices, and no charges have been ruled out if criminal intent is uncovered. For Amy Graham and Casey Waddell, once symbols of youthful vigor in the saddle, the future is now a stark reckoning—one that serves as a cautionary tale for an industry forever galloping on the edge.