Ashburton RC 16 April 2025 – R2 – Billy Jacobson

Evidence

Following the running of Race 2, NZB Mega Maiden Series 1200m, the Respondent Class A Rider, Billy Jacobson, admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use prior to the 100 metres in “that he struck his mount GRUFFALO with the whip 9 times prior to the 100m.”

Rule 638(3)(g)(i) provides that in a Flat Race a Rider must not:

(i) strike a horse with a whip more than 5 times prior to the 100-metre mark (other than in a slapping motion down the shoulder with the whip hand remaining on the reins); or

Using the available race films, Stipendiary Steward Veronica Fisher, demonstrated that the Respondent struck his mount 9 times from inside the 400m to the 100-metre mark. She added that Mr Jacobson struck GRUFFALO  on a further 4 occasions prior to the post, before going on to win the race by the margin of a nose.

Mr Jacobson elected top make no submissions in regard to the breach.

Decision

As the Respondent admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).

Submissions for Penalty

Mrs Fisher produced the Respondent’s record, which indicated 2 previous breaches being:

19 February 2025 – Riccarton – 6 day suspension for 10 strikes – won the race.

28 February 2025 – Otago – $500 fine – 7 strikes prior to 100m.

Mrs Fisher stated the Penalty Guide for a 3rd breach of excessive whip use where there were 4 additional strikes, was a starting point of a 5 plus day suspension. She added that an aggravating factor to be considered, was that Mr Jacobson went on to win the race by the margin of a nose.

Mr Jacobson made no submissions in regard to penalty, apart from requesting a deferment of suspension until after racing at Riccarton on 26 April 2025.

Reasons for Penalty

The Penalty Guide starting point for a breach of this nature is set out below.

For breaches of the Whip Rule prior to the 100m mark:

3rd offence starting point a 5 plus day suspension where there are 4 additional strikes

Accordingly, a 6 day starting point was adopted.

This Adjudicative Committee determined that there was an aggravating factor to consider, being the fact that GRUFFALO went on to win the race.

Procedurally, an uplift of 1 day would be applied for the aggravating factor, but that would have encompassed 3 South Island days, which the Adjudicative Committee deemed to be excessive in this case.

It was therefore determined that an appropriate penalty in this case was a 6 National Day suspension.

Conclusion

Mr Jacobson’s application for a deferment until after racing at Riccarton on 26 April 2026 is granted.

The Respondent  is suspended from the conclusion of racing on 26 April 2025, up to and including 7 May 2025.