Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 6 August 2025 – R4 – Yogesh Atchamah

Following the running of Race 4, Speight’s Summit Ultra On Tap Rating 60, Class B Jockey, Yogesh Atchamah, admitted a charge that, as the Rider of GRAEME JOHN in the race, he “allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of GIANNIS (Kylie Williams), which was checked and forced in onto CINNAMON GIRL (Samantha Collett), which was also checked near the 1100 metres”.

Mr Atchamah was assisted at the hearing by Apprentice Jockey Mentor, Jason Laking.

Rule 638 provides as follows:

(1)  A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be:

       (d)  careless

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward Veronica Fisher, had Chief Steward John Oatham, show video replays in support of the charge. Mr Oatham pointed out GRAEME JOHN, ridden by Mr Atchamah, being urged along and improving 3-wide, shortly after the start of the 1400 metres race. In the lead against the rail was CINNAMON GIRL, ridden by Samantha Collett, and to the outside of that runner was GIANNIS, ridden by Kylie Williams.

Mr Oatham showed that after approximately 300 metres, Mr Atchamah shifted in, when only a bare length clear, and dictated GIANNIS. Ms Williams had to avoid its heels and, in doing so, crowded CINNAMON GIRL to her inside. GIANNIS was over racing to some degree and Ms Williams was trying to ease, Mr Oatham said, but Mr Atchamah was only his own length clear.

Mr Laking said that the replays were self-explanatory and did not wish to add anything.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

PENALTY SUBMISSIONS:

Mrs Fisher said that Mr Atchamah has three previous careless riding breaches on his record:

26 October 2024 at Riccarton – low-to-mid range, suspended 7 days;

30 December 2024 at Kurow – low-range, suspended 6 days; and

15 January 2025 at Riccarton – mid-range, suspended 8 days.

Mrs Fisher added that, in each of those breaches, Mr Atchamah’s poor record was a factor.

Stewards saw the present breach as being mid-range, Mrs Fisher said. Mr Atchamah has had 421 rides in the last 12 months, she said.

Mr Laking said that Mr Atchamah has been working hard since those previous breaches, as evidenced by the fact that the most recent, was 7 months ago.

Mr Atchamah requested a deferment of any suspension until after the meeting of Oamaru JC on 15 August.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Adjudicative Committee agrees with the assessment of Stewards that the breach is in the mid-range category. Mr Atchamah, in his attempt to cross from 3-wide to the lead, has misjudged the clearance, causing Ms Williams to take a hold and Ms Collett to also receive a check.

The starting point for such a breach is a term of suspension of 7 days. The Adjudicative Committee has regarded Mr Atchamah’s record as a neutral factor. While three previous breaches is of some concern, the Adjudicative Committee gives Mr Atchamah some credit for not having offended for almost 7 months.

A discount for a guilty plea is discretionary and not always given. Mr Atchamah’s admission of the breach was inevitable in the face of clear evidence and, accordingly, no discount is given for Mr Atchamah’s admission of the breach in this instance.

In the absence of any relevant aggravating or mitigating factors, the term of suspension is, therefore, 7 days.

CONCLUSION:

Mr Atchamah’s request for a deferment is granted. He is suspended from riding in races from after the conclusion of racing on 15 August 2025, up to and including 27 August 2025 – 7 national riding days – after which date he may ride.