Ashburton RC 19 October 2025 – R7 – Abdul Najib
ID: RIB59734
Animal Name:
Abit Sassy
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
19/10/2025
Race Club:
Ashburton Racing Club
Race Location:
Ashburton Racecourse - Racecourse Road, Ashburton, 7700
Race Number:
R7
Hearing Date:
19/10/2025
Hearing Location:
Ashburton Racecourse, Ashburton
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Class B Jockey, Abdul Najib, is suspended for 5 days
Following the running of Race 7, Agraforum Comcat 1200, Class B Jockey Abdul Najib, admitted a breach of Rule 638(1)(d) in that, as the Rider of ABIT SASSY in the race, he “angled his mount outwards when not sufficiently clear of GAME DUKE (Tina Comignaghi) near the 200 metres”
Rule 638 provides as follows:
(1) A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be
(d) careless.
Mr Najib was assisted at the hearing of the Information by Apprentice Jockey Mentor, Jason Laking
EVIDENCE:
Stipendiary Steward Rebecca Haley, had Chief Stipendiary Steward John Oatham, show the incident on the various available video replays. He pointed out ABIT SASSY, ridden by Mr Najib, racing behind the leaders approaching the final 200 metres. Mr Najib then looked for a run outside the leader, but changed his mind and went for an inside run, which was the run that was available for GAME DUKE, ridden by Miss Comignaghi, Mr Oatham said. Mr Najib changed his mind again and decided to come out quite abruptly, resulting in Ms Comignaghi who, in the meantime, had shifted out to a run to the outer of Mr Najib, having to check her mount, Mr Oatham said.
Mr Laking said that Mr Najib had come round the corner and gone to the inside to look for room. He had anticipated that the leader would roll in, so he has come back out, too quickly, and taken Ms Comignaghi’s line.
DECISION:
The breach having been admitted, it is deemed proved.
SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:
Ms Haley said that Mr Najib has a clear record. He has had 245 rides in the past 12 months, she said. Stewards had assessed the breach as being in the mid-to-low level range, for which the Penalty Guide provides a starting point of a 6-days suspension, Ms Haley said.
Mr Laking said that Mr Najib was asking for a deferment until after the meeting of Gore RC on 23 October 2025.
REASONS FOR PENALTY:
The Adjudicative Committee assessed the breach as being a low-to-mid level one, for which the RIB Thoroughbred Racing Penalty Guide suggests a starting point of a 6-days suspension. There are no aggravating factors. For the mitigating factors – that is to say, Mr Najib’s good riding record and his admission of the breach, the Adjudicative Committee gives a discount of 1 day from the Penalty Guide starting point of 6 days
CONCLUSION:
Class B Jockey, Abdul Najib’s Licence to ride in races is suspended from after the close of racing on 23 October 2025, up to and including 29 October 2025 – 5 national riding days – after which date he may ride.
Decision Date: 19/10/2025
Publish Date: 21/10/2025