Wanganui Jockey Club – 10 January 2026 – R2- Bruno Queiroz

FACTS:

Following Race 2, an Information was presented by Stipendiary Steward Mr N Goodwin alleging that Licensed Jockey, Mr Queiroz, had breached Whip Rule 638(3)(f)(ii) in that he struck his mount COSENTINO above shoulder height on one occasion.

Mr Queiroz admitted the charge and Mr S Gray (trainer of COSENTINO) was also present.

EVIDENCE:

Mr Goodwin presented the head-on video, which clearly showed Mr Queiroz raising his right arm above shoulder height on one occasion. He noted that Mr Queiroz has a tendency to lift his arm too high when switching his whip from one hand to the other.

Mr Gray described Mr Queiroz as a quality, kind rider who does not strike horses hard. He said Mr Queiroz has been actively working to correct this technical aspect of his riding, which remains a work in progress.

DECISION:

As the charge was admitted, it was deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Goodwin produced Mr Queiroz’s recent record, which showed five prior breaches for using the whip above shoulder height:

• 24 August 2025 – fine $250
• 30 August 2025 – fine $300
• 4 October 2025 – fine $450
• 1 November 2025 – fine $1,000
• 27th December 2025 – 5 day suspension

The Stewards submitted that a further period of suspension was appropriate in light of this record.

In response, Mr Gray and Mr Queiroz reiterated the ongoing efforts to correct his whip technique. They acknowledged that a penalty was warranted however submitted that the breach arose from a technical error rather than forceful or excessive use and requested that this be taken into account when determining penalty. It was further submitted that, with several premier racedays approaching, consideration be given to the imposition of a fine in lieu of a day’s suspension.

After consulting with his agent Mr Queiroz advises of riding commitments through until Friday January 16th, 2026.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

This is Mr Queiroz’s sixth breach of Rule 638(3)(f)(ii) within the six‑month reset period. There is no direct precedent for a sixth breach. The Adjudicative Committee referred to the Penalty Guide and comparable whip cases, which provide for starting points of five or more days’ suspension at this level of repeat offending.

The current breach involved a single strike above shoulder height and is therefore assessed as low‑level. The Committee accepts that Mr Queiroz’s overall whip use is not forceful or excessive. However, the repeated nature of this offending is an aggravating factor that must attract some deterrence.

Mr Queiroz submitted that, in some overseas racing jurisdictions, fines may substitute part of a suspension to allow riders to continue riding. While this may occur in exceptional circumstances, such circumstances do not apply here. Upcoming premier meetings are not, in the Committee’s view, a valid ground for such substitution.

A starting point of a 5‑day suspension was adopted. To reflect both the low‑level nature of the breach and the need for ongoing deterrence, the Committee determined that a combined penalty was appropriate. As his breach occurred on Mr Queiroz’s first day back from a suspension for the same offence, a fine has been added to the 5‑day suspension. The fine is an additional component, not a substitute for any part of the suspension.

Mr Queiroz is suspended for 5 National Riding Days, from the close of racing on Friday, 16 January 2026, until the close of racing on Thursday, 22 January 2026, inclusive.

He is also fined $500.