Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 25 October 2025 – R8 – Brett Murray

Following the running of Race 8, War Decree Stakes (Group 3), Class A Jockey Brett Murray, admitted a breach of Rule 638(1)(d) in that, as the Rider of STUDENT OF WAR in the race, he rode carelessly in shifting ground inwards when not sufficiently clear of ORIGIN OF LOVE (Joe Doyle),which had to check passing the 400 metres.

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:

Chief Stipendiary Steward John Oatham, had Stipendiary Steward, Rebecca Haley, show the incident on the two available video replays. Ms Haley pointed out STUDENT OF WAR, ridden by Mr Murray, jumping from barrier 3 in the 1600 metres race and ORIGIN OF LOVE, ridden by Mr Doyle, which had drawn barrier 2.

After approximately 200 metres, Mr Murray proceeded to shift in, Ms Haley said, when not clear of Mr Doyle, who had to check his mount. Mr Oatham agreed with the Adjudicative Committee’s observation that Mr Murray was only his own bare length clear, when he did so.

Mr Murray said that Mr Doyle was easing to let him go but, instead of “pressing on”, he had elected to ease as he came across. He had erred on this occasion, he said

DECISION:

The breach having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Oatham said that Mr Murray has a good record, having only one previous breach of the Careless Riding Rule on his record – on 1 December 2024 at Cromwell – suspended for 4 days (low-range).

Mr Murray has had 278 rides in the past 12 months. The level of carelessness was in the low range, Mr Oatham said.  Mr Doyle was happy to let him go, but Mr Murray needed to keep going forward, rather than easing as he was going across, Mr Oatham said. It was a relatively minor check to Mr Doyle, but the easing of the pace did have implications for following runners, he said.

The only aggravating factor was that the race was a Group 3 Race, Mr Oatham said. Mr Murray’s mount was unplaced, so it is not an occasion in which a fine needs to be added, he said.

Mr Murray said he has riding commitments at Ashburton on 31 October, and he sought a deferment of any suspension until after that date.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The breach is assessed by the Adjudicative Committee as being low-level and, in this respect, agrees with Mr Oatham. The RIB Thoroughbred Penalty Guide (February 2025) suggests a starting point for penalty for such a breach of 5 national riding days. The starting point is uplifted by 1 day, for the aggravating factor of the Group 3 status of the race.

Mr Murray’s riding record may be regarded as a good one. He has one breach in the past 12 month period. In that period, he has had 278 rides. Mr Murray is entitled to a discount from the uplifted starting point for his good record and admission of the breach, and the Adjudicative Committee fixes this at 1 day.

CONCLUSION:

Class A Jockey Brett Murray’s Licence to ride in races is suspended from 1 November 2025 to 6 November 2025, both dates inclusive – 5 national riding days.