Top jockey Shane Dye was arrested by Hong Kong police on suspicion of beating up his wife eight days after the couple's wedding, in the latest twist to a controversy-tarnished career.

The Melbourne Cup-winning jockey was being quizzed on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after police were called to the home he shares with his Australian wife Emma Sullivan just after 1pm (1500 AEST).

Dye, 38, the second most successful jockey in Australian racing history with 94 Group One winners, was still in custody at 7:30pm but could be released on bail later, a police spokeswoman said.

Sullivan, 26, who tied the knot with Dye on May 28, was treated for injuries at Hong Kong's Prince of Wales Hospital before later being discharged. The nature of her injuries were not released.

Dye's arrest comes as his successful racing career in Hong Kong hangs in the balance.

Late last month, the Hong Kong Jockey Club took the unprecedented step of downgrading his licence for next season following surveys which showed widespread public dissatisfaction with his riding.

"There is criticism of him on performance issues in general and he is perceived as inconsistent," said Jockey Club executive director Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.

The racing body's decision means Dye will only be allowed to race for three months next year in the former British colony, where he has amassed 248 winners since moving to the territory.

Previously, Dye had acquired superstar status in Australia during a glittering career which saw him notch victories in the Melbourne Cup and the prestigious Cox Plate as well as the Golden Slipper.

But while his win on Tawriffic to claim the 1989 Melbourne Cup was a high point, Dye was perhaps best known for his performance in the Caulfield Cup in 1992, which saw him beaten on heavy favourite Veandercross.

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