Community
25 September, 2026
Hoop’s safety fears
A FAR North Queensland jockey says he feared for his safety after receiving alleged threats through Facebook, prompting intervention from racing stewards and the removal of a public post.
Jockey Tyler Leslight has spoken to Cairns Local News after receiving a series of private messages and becoming the subject of a public Facebook discussion among people connected to the Queensland racing industry.
Mr Leslight, who became the first Australian jockey to publicly identify as transgender in 2022, was the subject of private messages sent from an account of a racing industry identity, which have been seen by CLN. Racing Queensland has previously profiled Mr Leslight and his career in the industry.
The messages include statements such as “Give me the name, or you’ll get the f$%king stitches” and “Don’t come near the track again when I’m there”.
Mr Leslight said the dispute began after he sent footage of a prior racing incident to one of the racing identities, believing it might be relevant to a stewards’ inquiry.
He said the man then contacted him to ask for the identity of the person who had supplied the footage.
A public Facebook post about Mr Leslight followed, attracting a number of comments.
Mr Leslight said some comments targeted his gender, while a comment from an account under the name of a trainer read: “Just punch the c@#t, J-----”.
Mr Leslight said he had previously ridden for the trainer and the other man’s partner, but that his previous interactions with the trainer had been reasonable.
He said the private messages left him concerned for his safety and prompted him to report the situation to police.
“Last night, every time there was a noise or something, I was thinking, ‘F@#k, he’s here’,” Mr Leslight said. “I’ve got to go to the races when I get back to riding and I’ve got to front these people. You feel very, very small.”
Mr Leslight said he provided the screenshots to QRIC steward Paul Gillard and to Queensland Jockeys Association representative Glen Prentice.
He subsequently told CLN that Mr Gillard had contacted him, saying he had directed the trainer to remove the Facebook post and publish an apology.
A public apology was later posted from the Facebook account describing his comments as “inappropriate, offensive and disrespectful” and acknowledging his comments and messages were “unacceptable”.
“I apologise unreservedly to Mr Leslight for the offence and distress my comments caused,” the post stated. The apology was removed from public view less than 24 hours after it was posted.
Mr Leslight said the trainer had not contacted him privately to apologise.
The jockey, who has been sidelined from riding due to injury, said he was preparing to return to racing.
“Everything had simmered down, and I was ready for a comeback, but now I feel like … it’s going to limit the opportunities coming back. But I won’t let these things get me down. My weight is good, I’m as fit as I’ve ever been and I’m hungry to return to the races.”
Cairns Local News has sought comment from QRIC and from the two other identities.
Due to legal reasons, Cairns Local News is not identifying the two men.
