Auckland TR 1 January 2025 – R9 – Jasmine Fawcett
ID: RIB50191
Animal Name:
ARBY
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
01/01/2025
Race Club:
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing
Race Location:
Ellerslie Racecourse - 100 Ascot Ave, Ellerslie, Auckland, 1050
Race Number:
R9
Hearing Date:
01/01/2025
Hearing Location:
Ellerslie Racecourse
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Jockey Jasmine Fawcett is fined $800
BACKGROUND:
Following the running of Race 9, the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup, Ms J Fawcett (Class A Rider) admitted using her whip in an action above shoulder height.
Rule 638(3)(f)(ii) provides:
Without limiting the generality of subrule 638(3), in a Flat Race . . . A Rider must not use his / her whip:
(ii) using an action that raises the Rider’s arm above shoulder height.
EVIDENCE:
Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr J Oatham demonstrated that in the home straight, Ms Fawcett struck her mount ARBY using an action with her arm raised above shoulder height on 5 occasions.
Ms Fawcett agreed with the number of strikes. She stated that her horse was on one rein and trying to hold it straight, caused her to lean down and that resulted in her whip action to be above shoulder height. It was a genuine mistake on her part.
DECISION:
As Ms Fawcett admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the charge proved.
SUBMISSIONS ON PENALTY:
Mr Oatham advised that Ms Fawcett had a clear record for this charge and with 310 rides in the past 6 months, was a busy Jockey.
The provision in the Penalty Guideline is for a fine of $250 for a first offence. However, Mr Oatham considered an uplift in fine was required, as this was a Group 3 Race, the horse ARBY had run second (stake $46,250) and there were 5 strikes above shoulder height.
He noted that under the Whip Guidelines for a Group and Listed Race, a fine of 50% of the Rider’s fee was a starting point for a fine. In this case, that would amount to a fine of $1,150. He considered a fine of around $1,000 should be considered.
Ms Fawcett argued in mitigation, that this was her first offence under this Rule and her horse racing ungenerously was the main contributor to what occurred.
REASONS FOR PENALTY:
The Adjudicative Committee agreed, that due to the status of the race (Group 3) and the number of strikes above the shoulder (five), an uplift in the fine from a starting point of $250 was required.
The Adjudicative Committee took a starting point of $1,000, which it then reduced by $200 (20%), to reflect Ms Fawcett’s clear record and the fact that her horse racing ungenerously was a contributing factor.
CONCLUSION:
Ms Fawcett is therefore fined $800.
Decision Date: 01/01/2025
Publish Date: 02/01/2025