Melbourne Cup-winning owner Brae Sokolski said he’ll “cop it on the chin” after being fined $10,000 for breaching COVID-19 protocols by entering the mounting yard minutes after the finish of the race on Tuesday.

Sokolski leaped a barrier to make his way into the mounting yard to celebrate with connections after mare Verry Elleegant beat Incentivise (who he also has a share in). He did so despite lacking accreditation and being ticketed only to stay in another group positioned on the lawn.

“Those (COVID-19) protocols are important and have kept the racing industry going through the whole crisis and you have to respect the protocols,” a contrite Sokolski said after being informed of his fine.

“It was a completely impetuous moment with all the emotion of it. I respect the decision and I’ll cop it on the chin.”

An elated Sokolski wound-up doing a live television interview in the mounting yard before Victoria Racing Club officials escorted him out of the area.

Up to 10,000 people had been permitted to come to Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup under protocols which separates the groups across the course.

Racing.com