Ashburton RC 3 July 2025 – R1 – Leah Hemi

Following the running of Race 1, Agraforum Growing Innovation 2200, Class A Jockey, Leah Hemi, admitted a charge that, as the Rider of ON THE RIVET in the race, she struck her mount 8 times prior to the 100 metres.

Rule 638 provides:

(g) Subject to the other requirements this Rule 638(3), in a Flat Race or trial (including jump-outs and/or tests for certification purposes), a Rider must not:

     (i) except as provided for in (iii) (A) and (iii) (B) of this sub-Rule, 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).

EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward Veronica Fisher, showed a video replay of the final 300 metres of the race. She pointed out ON THE RIVET, ridden by Ms Hemi, in the lead as the field turned into the final straight. Mrs Fisher then pointed out that Ms Hemi drew her whip and, from that point, struck her mount eight times prior to the 100 metres.

Ms Hemi accepted Mrs Fisher’s evidence regarding the number of strikes. She added that contributing factors were the long straight, a heavy track, a staying race and that she was “riding competitively”.

DECISION:

The charge having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mrs Fisher said that Ms Hemi’s record showed two previous breaches of the Rule:

3 April 2025 at Ashburton – fined $500 (7 strikes before the 100 metres); and

10 June 2025 at Timaru – fined $250 (6 strikes before the 100 metres)

As a third breach involving three strikes over the permitted five, the Penalty Guide starting point is a suspension of 5-plus days, Mrs Fisher said.

The Adjudicative Committee noted that ON THE RIVET finished in 2nd placing.

Ms Hemi requested a deferment of any term of suspension until after the meeting of Canterbury Racing on 9 July 2025.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

This was a third breach by Ms Hemi for using her whip, on this occasion, clearly eight times, being three more than the permitted five times, prior to the 100 metres. She has made a very frank admission of the breach.

The RIB Thoroughbred Penalty Guide (February 2025) suggests a penalty starting point for a third breach involving three additional strikes of “suspension 5+ National Days”. There are no relevant aggravating or mitigating factors.

CONCLUSION:

Ms Hemi’s application for a deferment is granted.

Class A Jockey, Leah Hemi’s Licence to ride in races is suspended from after the close of racing on 9 July 2025, up to and including 19 July 2025 – 6 national riding days – after which date she may ride.