Ashburton RC 24 December 2025 – R8 – Akshay Balloo
ID: RIB62109
Animal Name:
FLAMBOYANCE
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
24/12/2025
Race Club:
Ashburton Racing Club
Race Location:
Ashburton Racecourse - Racecourse Road, Ashburton, 7700
Race Number:
R8
Hearing Date:
24/12/2025
Hearing Location:
Ashburton
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Jockey Akshay Balloo is suspended for 6 days
Evidence
Following the running of Race 8, the Respondent Class A Rider Akshay Balloo, admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use prior to the 100 metres.
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 near the 350m to the 100-metre mark.
Mr Balloo, the Respondent, stated he got carried away, as he was running on and forgot to count his strikes.
Decision
As the Respondent Mr Balloo admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).
Submissions for Penalty
Mrs Fisher produced the Respondent Mr Balloo’s record, which indicated 1 previous breach being;
- 5 December 2025 – Riccarton – 5 day suspension for 9 strikes
Mrs Fisher stated the Penalty Guide starting point for excessive whip use for 4 or more additional strikes, was a 5 plus national day suspension.
Mr Balloo made no submissions in regard to penalty, apart from requesting a deferment until after the meeting at Timaru on 28 December 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:
2nd offence starting point 5+ national day suspension where there are 4 or more additional strikes.
Therefore, a 6 day suspension was adopted as a starting point.
This Adjudicative Committee found there were no aggravating factors to consider and therefore no uplift was warranted. It was determined that a penalty commensurate with the Penalty Guide was an appropriate penalty in this case, a 6 national day suspension.
Conclusion
The Respondent Mr Balloo, is granted a deferment until after racing on 28 December 2025. His Licence to ride in races is suspended for 6 days, from close of racing on 28 December 2025, until close of racing on 4 January 2026.
Decision Date: 24/12/2025
Publish Date: 29/12/2025