Troubled jockey Jason Maskiell has had his suspension for a drug offence slashed by six months leaving him to serve a 12 month ban.

The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board on Tuesday upheld his appeal against the severity of the suspension and Maskiell is now free to return to race riding on November 11 next year.

He must abide by a number of conditions including undergoing treatment and counselling and providing on-going drug free samples.

The board also ruled he could return to trials and trackwork after serving the first six months of his suspension.

Victorian Jockeys' Association chief executive Des O'Keeffe welcomed the softening of the penalty saying it would give Maskiell extra incentive to get his career back on track.

"This is going to give him the further incentive he needs to help him do what he has to do to get back to being well," said O'Keefe.

"They put an enormous amount of thought into creating a penalty that encourages him, as well as imposing a sanction on him."

Maskiell had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing after testing positive to a banned substance at Kyneton races on Melbourne Cup Day.

It was his second offence.