Jockey Brandon Wilkie has received a suspended sentence and a fine after being convicted of grievous bodily harm (GBH) for an assault on his rival and roommate, Kyle McHugh. The incident occurred in August 2025 after McHugh questioned Wilkie about his lack of recent wins.
According to reports, the two jockeys were believed to be drinking when McHugh asked Wilkie, "when did you last ride a winner?" Wilkie, then 21, told McHugh to "leave it," but upon returning to their shared flat in Newmarket, he punched McHugh in the face. The attack continued with Wilkie kicking and punching McHugh after he fell. Wilkie then apologized and helped McHugh up, stating he was "teaching (McHugh) some manners."
McHugh sustained serious facial injuries, including a broken nose, a fractured eye socket, a fracture to his jawbone, six chipped teeth, and a cut to his eyelid. Wilkie reportedly sent a video of McHugh to friends with the caption "putting manners on him."
Wilkie admitted to the GBH charge and was sentenced to a 14-month sentence suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay McHugh £500. McHugh took eight weeks to recover before returning to racing.
Wilkie has not ridden in Britain since August 2025. He has continued to compete in Ireland, with his last ride there in April. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board has placed an interim suspension on his racing license pending the outcome of legal proceedings.