One of Sydney’s premier riders will begin the New Year in isolation after testing positive to Covid.
Star jockey Rachel King confirmed on Wednesday evening that she and Group 1 winning partner Blake Spriggs had tested positive to the fast spreading virus.
King broke the news via Twitter after she was forced to forego her rides on Boxing Day and Wednesday’s Belle Of The Turf Stakes meeting at Gosford.
“Unfortunately @Blakespriggs and I have tested positive to Covid,” the tweet said.
“Blake is a few days ahead of me in isolation and will be back riding at the beginning of next week while I will aim to be back for Saturday, 8th @rosehillgardens.”
It’s understood Spriggs, who also stood himself down from riding duties in recent days, first tested positive on a rapid antigen test before a second test confirmed the bad news.
Both Spriggs and King remained out of the saddle while awaiting the results.
The positive test has already proven to be costly for King, who unfortunately missed the chance to pilot Bacchanalia in the Listed $150,000 Gosford Guineas (1200m) at Gosford on Wednesday.
Chad Schofield rode the Godolphin galloper in King’s place and was able to win the three-year-old feature – his first winner since returning from Hong Kong earlier this month.
Two of the rides that King was forced to forfeit on Sunday at Randwick also went on to win at the meeting.
King is not the first jockey from the Sydney room to be struck down during the pandemic with star apprentice Tom Sherry also contracting Covid earlier this year.
Sherry was later suspended after it was revealed he attended trackwork while Covid positive, breaking Racing NSW health and safety protocols.
Originally published as Sydney jockey Rachel King and partner Blake Spriggs confirm positive Covid tests
Read related topics:SydneyncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ70qmmq6xfqMKxsdGrmJyhnpx8tMXDp5yyZZqksKyx2GapmpuYmrlut8innmaZnpl6sa3RraWeql2XuaK3xGaqqaqZnLS0ecKopZ%2BhoqJ6sbvSoquirpVisLDCyJ1krZ2jqcBwusSwqmarpKS%2FunvAnmxxaWaahKKDwZ5tapyUbbJ4gcSdZ3CakZewpH%2FBcA%3D%3D