Auckland TR 21 February 2026 – R8 – Wiremu Pinn

Evidence:

This charge arises from the running of Race 8, the Group 1 AL BASTI EQUIWORLD DUBAI NEW ZEALAND OAKS 3YOF 2400. Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr J Oatham filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging the Rider of AUTUMN GLORY (W Pinn), permitted his mount to shift ground outwards when not sufficiently clear of CLARA BOW, which was firmly contacted and checked near the 300 metres.

Mr Pinn acknowledged that he understood the Rule and confirmed his admission of the breach.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

Using all of the available race films, Deputy Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr B Jones demonstrated the breach and identified the horses and Riders involved in the incident, namely AUTUMN GLORY, CLARA BOW, ACER, and ARIADNE.

He pointed out that nearing the 300 metres, AUTUMN GLORY was held up for a run and Mr Pinn angled his mount out, making firm contact with CLARA BOW. Mr Jones said that at the time of the shift, AUTUMN GLORY was racing slightly in front of CLARA BOW and not the required distance clear of that runner. As a result, CLARA BOW was checked and forced on to ARIADNE. In addition, ACER was inconvenienced.

AUTUMN GLORY ran on and finished in second place.

By way of explanation, Mr Pinn said that when searching for a run, he made a mistake and said that he was sorry.

Decision:

As Mr Pinn admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee found the charge proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Mr Oatham submitted that Mr Pinn has incurred three previous careless riding breaches during the past 12 months. He pointed out that the first breach is due to expire in about 7 weeks. Previous breaches include:

31/01/26 – 7 days – mid-range

29/11/25 – 5 days – low to mid-range

17/04/23 – 4 days – low range

Mr Oatham said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low to mid-range.

He said that aggravating factors included the status of the race (Group 1) and the stakes payable ($185,000) to the second placed horse, AUTUMN GLORY, ridden by Mr Pinn. Also, because the breach occurred in a ‘Black Type’ Race, a percentage of Mr Pinn’s share of the stake earned, should be added to any proposed penalty by way of a fine. He added that mitigating factors included Mr Pinn’s admission of the breach and his riding record, which he submitted should be treated as a neutral factor.

Mr Pinn advised that he could commence any proposed suspension immediately. Mr Pinn reiterated that he made a mistake and the breach was an error on his part.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race film, the Adjudicative Committee determined Mr Pinn’s carelessness to be low to mid-range and adopted a 6-day (suspension) as the starting point.

The available films clearly established that Mr Pinn allowed his mount to shift into the running line of CLARA BOW, when not the required distance clear of that horse. It was noted that two other horses were affected to varying degrees, as a result of the incident.

From the 6-day starting point, in accordance with Rule 920(2), a three-day uplift is applied due to the Group 1 status of the race and the stakes payable. In consideration of Mr Pinn’s neutral record and his admission of the breach, a one-day reduction is applied. Further, and per the NZTR Guidelines for Whip Rule and Careless Riding breaches, a fine of $2,000 is imposed, due to the breach having occurred in a Black Type Race. For the sake of clarity, the relevant Guidelines concerning the fine to be imposed provide that:

Fines to be added as a percentage of the Jockey’s share of stake earned by their mount where the offence occurs in any Black-type Race, Prestige Jumping race or major race.

After considering the above factors, the Adjudicative Committee deemed an 8-day suspension and $2,000 fine, to be appropriate in the circumstances.

Prior to concluding the hearing, there was some conjecture as to whether Mr Pinn had been engaged to ride one horse at the Taupo Meeting on 22 February 2026. The Trainer of the horse was contacted, and it was confirmed that Mr Pinn had been declared as the Rider of the horse in error. This was clarified for the purpose of establishing the starting date of his suspension.

Conclusion:

Accordingly, Mr Pinn’s Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 8 days, commencing after racing on 21 February 2026 and concluding after racing on 6 March 2026. In addition, a fine of $2,000 is imposed.