Breeding & Racing Magazine

NZ Champ Lisa Cropp Prepares For Riding Comeback

Meanwhile former champion NZ jockey Lisa Cropp (disqualified on drug charges last year) told The Waikato Times she is planning to return to race riding when she recovers from a recent operation on an old shoulder injury. Cropp, 38, was disqualified for 9 months in June 2009, as well as being fined $NZ7,500 & ordered to pay the costs (for a 3-year legal tussle) after being found guilty of methamphetamine use. Cropp told the newspaper she has now paid-off $NZ92,000 in total to NZ Thoroughbred Racing & noted: "I'm getting into shape. It (her comeback) will be sooner rather than later, I'm looking forward to it." NZ chief racecourse inspector John McKenzie confirmed Cropp had paid the outstanding costs & is free to reapply for her riding licence as long as she passes tests that show she is drug-free. Cropp has ridden more than 1,300 winners during her career.