Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 24 October 2026 – R10 – Ohara Najib

Following the running of Race 10, Class B Rider Ohara Najib, admitted a breach of Rule 636(1)(d) in that, “as the Rider of PROSERVE in the race, he failed to ride his mount out fully to the finish when there was a reasonable chance of finishing in 4th position.”

Mr Najib was assisted at the hearing by Licensed Trainer Michael Pitman.

The result of the race was as follows:

1st     INDIE ARDIE

2nd    MINESHAFT

3rd     RED STAR BELLA

4th      WINTER BLAZE

5th      PROSERVE

The margins were a neck, 1 1/4 lengths, 1/2 length, 1/2 head.

Rule 636 provides as follows:

(1)   A person:

(d)  being the Rider of a horse in a Race, must ride their horse out to the end of the Race if there is a reasonable chance of it running into a position for which there is prize money to be awarded or a dividend to be declared.

EVIDENCE:

Chief  Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham showed video replays of the final stages of the race. Mr Oatham pointed out PROSERVE, ridden by Mr Najib, racing in 4th position and mid track, when nearing the finish. He showed on the replays that WINTER BLAZE, ridden by Brandon May, racing on the outside of the track, was finishing fast over the concluding stages and was approximately 4 lengths behind PROSERVE at the 100m. Mr Oatham then demonstrated Mr Najib relax his ride and stop riding his mount out, approximately 2-3 strides off the finish line and in doing so, was caught at the post by the fast finishing WINTER BLAZE, who finished ahead of PROSERVE, in 4th position, the official margin being 1/2 a head.

Mr Pitman disputed Mr Oatham’s submission that WINTER BLAZE was 4 lengths behind PROSERVE at the 100 metres, stating it was the smallest 4 lengths he had seen.

Mr Najib stated that he thought he had finished in 4th position, but it was clear he had been beaten at the line by WINTER BLAZE.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is found proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Oatham said that had Mr Najib ridden his mount out fully to the finish, not stopping riding 2-3 strides out, he would have retained 4th placing. He stated that the stake difference between 4th and 5th placing was $1,000, which was denied to the connections, in combination with the loss to punters and their investments.

He added the Penalty Guide provides a starting point for 4th placing being lost, of a 2-weeks suspension, which was appropriate in this case.

Mr Najib made no submissions in regard to penalty.

Mr Pitman stated that as a part owner of PROSERVE, he was not concerned about the $1,000 difference between the 4th and 5th stake monies.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The RIB Thoroughbred Penalty Guide starting point for a breach of failing to ride out, depends upon the potential placing deemed to have been lost as a result of the breach and for 4th placing, it is a 2 week suspension.

This Adjudicative Committee determined that there were no aggravating factors to consider, therefore no uplift in penalty was warranted.

Research of previous penalties imposed for failing to ride out, were found to be consistent with the Penalty Guide starting points and this Adjudicative Committee could see no justification in deferring from that line.

After consideration, it was therefore determined that a 2 week suspension was the appropriate penalty in this case.

CONCLUSION:

Mr Najib’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for 2 weeks, from after the close of racing on 11 November 2026, up to and including 25 November 2025.