Waikato RC 21 May 2022 – R 3 – Kelsey Hannan

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 3, the Respondent, Apprentice Rider Kelsey Hannan admitted a charge filed pursuant to Rule 636(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the rider of SO WICKED “she failed to ride out to the end of the race when there was a reasonable chance of running into a higher position”. 

Ms Hannan acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach. Apprentice Jockey Mentor, Mr N Harris was present and assisted Ms Hannan.

Rule 636(1)(d) provides: A Rider shall being the Rider of a horse in a Race, must ride his 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.

Using the available Race films Stipendiary Steward, Mr B Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and riders concerned.

Mr Jones said that SO WICKED was racing close to the lead on the inner, and over the concluding stages commenced to shifted out when tapped on the neck and with one further strike free of the rein.  He said that Ms Hannan straightened and attempted corrective action and then eased her ride for six strides from the finish.  He added that she sat motionless for the last three strides.

Mr Jones said that when Ms Hannan struck her mount, she shifted out into the running line of SILVERDALE CHIEF and TEEN TITAN.  He concluded by pointing out that she should have ridden her mount out to the finish after straightening and as a result her mount was denied the opportunity to finish in a better position.  SO WICKED finished fourth.

In response, Mr Harris on behalf of Ms Hannan stated although she admitted the breach there are several mitigating factors in her favour.  He said that when her mount was leading it started to run about and Mr Weatherley, the Rider of SILVERDALE CHIEF yelled out and as a result she lost momentum and he said this may have contributed to her failing to ride her mount out to the finish.

Decision:

As the Respondent admitted the breach the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submission for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr Oatham said that Ms Hannan has only recently commenced riding and has had 11 race day rides to date.  He said that there were a number of factors for the Committee to consider, namely:

• SO WICKED raced waywardly when placed under pressure.
• Ms Hannan should have ridden her mount out once straighten, but she is a very inexperienced Apprentice Rider.
• She was clearly in second place when she stopped riding but it is difficult to determine whether the mount would have finished second or third.
• There was a short neck between second and third, and third and fourth.

After some discussion a consensus was reached between all parties that it was more probable than not that the failure to ride out to the finish may have cost SO WICKED the opportunity to finish in third place.

Mr Oatham submitted that the Penalty Guide establishes a starting point of a 3-week suspension for the loss of third place.  He said that under the circumstances of this breach a 2-week suspension would be an appropriate penalty.

Ms Hannan advised that she does not seek a deferment to any proposed suspension.

In terms of any proposed penalty, Mr Harris submitted that in his experience it is difficult for a rider to get going after they lose momentum and, in this case, there was a loss of momentum when Ms Hannan stopped riding forward and straightened her mount after it had shifted out.  He said that at Apprentice School, he teaches young riders to stop riding and straighten when their mounts shift out.

Reasons for Penalty:

The available films clearly established that Ms Hannan stopped riding her mount out to the end of the race when there was a likelihood of finishing in at least third place.

The Committee agree with the circumstances of the breach and the various factors highlighted by Mr Jones, Mr Oatham and Mr Harris.

Mitigating factors include Ms Hannan’s inexperience as she is an Apprentice Rider who has had limited race day riding opportunities.  Also, the racing manners of SO WICKED were assessed as a significant mitigating factor.  On that basis she is afforded one week’s discount from the three week (suspension) starting point.

Accordingly, after consideration of the above factors a two-week suspension was imposed. This equates to nine meetings.

Conclusion – Penalty:

Ms Hannan’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of two weeks commencing after racing on 21 May 2020 and concluding after racing on 4 June 2022.