Auckland TR 22 March 2023 – R5 – Bridget Grylls

Evidence:

This charge arises from the running of Race 5, the NZB Insurance Pearl Series 1200m. Stipendiary Steward, Mrs Selvakumaran filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging the Rider of FANTOMETTE (B Grylls), “permitted her mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of TELESCOPIC which clipped a heel ”.

Ms Grylls acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her 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 the available race films, Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned; namely FANTOMETTE (B Grylls) and TELESCOPIC (T Abel).

Mr Jones told the Adjudicative Committee that approaching the 1000-metre mark after the field jumped from the 1200 metre barrier point, Ms Grylls allowed her mount to shift inwards and in doing so, she continued to ride forward intent on leading. He said that at the time of the shift, she was no more than one length clear of TELESCOPIC who was racing on the rails behind FANTOMETTE. As a result of the shift, TELESCOPIC clipped a heel and was severely checked.

In response, Ms Grylls said that she pushed forward from the barrier and thought Ms Abel was going to take hold of her mount and allow her to shift in.  In addition, she thought that at the time of the shift she was sufficiently clear of FANTOMETTE but accepts that was not the case.

Decision:

As Ms Grylls admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee found the charge proved.

Submission for Penalty:

Mrs Selvakumaran submitted that Ms Grylls riding record is good, with her having had one previous breach under the Careless Riding Rule in the last 12 months. The previous breach occurred on 30 April 2022, it was low range carelessness resulting in a 4-day suspension.  She has had 107 rides in the past 12 months.

Mrs Selvakumaran said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the mid-range due to the nature of the check to FANTOMETTE. She said a mitigating factor was, that at the time of the check, FANTOMETTE was racing keenly.

Ms Grylls sought a deferment to any proposed suspension until after racing on 1 April 2023. She said that she has recently returned to race riding following a lengthy injury break.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering the submissions and reviewing the race film, the Adjudicative Committee determined Ms Grylls’ carelessness to be mid-range and adopted a 7-day (suspension) as the starting point.

The available films clearly established that Ms Grylls allowed her mount to shift in when less than one length clear of, FANTOMETTE who was checked and blundered. FANTOMETTE was over-racing prior to the check, but Ms Grylls had an obligation to ensure that she was her own length and one other clear when shifting in.

From the 7-day starting point, a one-day reduction is applied for Ms Grylls’ admission of the breach. Her record is good, this being her first breach in 11 months, but this must be moderated by the fact that she has only recently returned to race riding following an injury.

After considering the above factors, the Adjudicative Committee deemed a 6-day suspension to be appropriate.

Conclusion:

The Adjudicative Committee granted Ms Grylls a deferment to her suspension. Accordingly, her licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 days, commencing after racing on 1 April 2023 and concluding after racing on 12 April 2023.