LAMBOURN trainer Jamie Osborne has been handed a three-month suspended training licence ban after taking a photograph of a woman’s clothed bottom at a racecourse last summer, intending to share it on a WhatsApp group called ‘Great Bums’.

Osborne took the photo in the parade ring at an evening meeting and it was noticed by the person he photographed. A heated discussion ensued which drew the attention of racecourse staff and the matter was referred to the stewards.

Having initially denied taking any photograph, Osborne admitted he had done so and deleted it. He apologised to the woman and her companion, who are referred to only as Person A and Person B in the official BHA disciplinary report.

The panel found that the incident “caused substantial embarrassment and upset to Person A and Person B,” who felt Osborne had sought to downplay his conduct. Both stated “they would not wish for any other participant in the sport of horse racing to have this happen to them, particularly a young woman,” and considered it “not conduct to be expected of a respected trainer in the industry.”

In a subsequent BHA interview, Osborne admitted taking the photograph with the “intention of sharing it on a WhatsApp chat group” named ‘Great Bums’, acknowledging it was “obvious” this was “not the only occasion on which he had taken photographs of women without their consent.”

In addition to the suspended ban, Osborne must complete anti-harassment and anti-misogyny training, donate £3,000 to a racing charity, and provide written apologies. Osborne said: “I completely accept the BHA judgement and I would like to repeat my heartfelt and genuine apology for my actions.”