Ashburton RC 11 October 2025 – R1 – Jasmine Fawcett

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 1, the Respondent Class A Rider Jasmine Fawcett admitted a charge of careless riding, which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of NOIVERN “she allowed her mount to shift inwards dictating SHESASCORCHER and WATSON inwards, with PROFFESSIONAL LAD clipping a heel and blundering near the 1300 metres”. 

The Respondent acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

Using the available race films, Stipendiary Steward Mark Davidson, with the assistance of Stipendiary Steward Veronica Fisher, demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned. Mrs Fisher pointed out, that shortly after the start, Miss Fawcett, riding NOIVERN, was racing mid track with SHESASCORCHER (T Comignaghi), WATSON (C Barnes) and PROFESSIONAL LAD (B Queiroz), racing to the inside of NOIVERN. The replays showed Miss Fawcett shift inwards, dictating SHESASCORCHER and WATSON inwards, with PROFESSIONAL LAD being placed in restricted room and as a result, clipped a heel and blundered.

In response, Miss Fawcett stated that she thought she was clear of the inside runners, but conceded that she had made an error of judgement. She also stated that consideration be given of her mount’s tendency to race greenly and run away from other runners, which she submitted was a factor.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson produced Miss Fawcett’s riding record, which indicated 6 previous breaches under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months, namely;

5 November 2024 – Auckland – Mid range – 6 day suspension

7 November 2024 – Auckland – Mid range – 6 day suspension

12 December 2024 – Auckland – Mid range – 6 day suspension

9 April 2025 – Auckland – Low range – 4 day suspension

10 May 2025 – Riccarton – Group 3 Race – 6 day suspension

7 June 2025 – Auckland – Low to mid range – 6 day suspension

Stipendiary Steward Mr Davidson said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low-range, with the consequences higher and therefore, submitted a starting point of Mid range as per the Penalty Guide, of a 7 day suspension. He added that Miss Fawcett had 201 rides since her last breach in June 2025.

The Respondent advised of riding engagements through until 15 October 2023 at Matamata and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent elected to make no submissions.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined the Respondent Miss Fawcett’s carelessness in totality, to be in the mid range and accordingly, adopted a 7-day suspension as the starting point. This conforms with the NZTR Penalty Guide.

Although the Respondent’s riding record shows 6 previous breaches over the prior 12 months, 3 are older than 10 months, with this year’s latest breach, being 4 months prior to today and 201 rides ago. The Adjudicative Committee determined that Miss Fawcett’s record would be treated as a neutral factor.

In mitigation, Miss Fawcett’s frank admission of the breach warrants a discount, which the Adjudicative Committee set at 1 day.

After consideration of the above factors, a 6-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for a deferment until 15 October at Matamata is granted and her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 National Days, commencing after racing on 15 October 2025 and concluding after racing on 23 October 2025.