Auckland TR 4 November 2025 – R8 – Tayla Mitchell

Background

Following the running of Race 8, the Elsdon Park Balmerino Stakes (Group 3), the Respondent, Apprentice Rider Ms Tayla Mitchell, admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use prior to the 100 metres.

Ms Mitchell was assisted at the hearing by Mr N Harris.

The Information alleged that Ms Mitchell struck her mount BLUE SKY AT NIGHT 8 times 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);

Evidence

Using the available race films, Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr J Oatham identified BLUE SKY AT NIGHT, ridden by Ms Mitchell, racing on the outside as the field entered the home straight. He demonstrated that Ms Mitchell struck her mount 8 times, from early in the straight (350 metre mark) to the 100-metre mark. Mr Jones added that from the 100-metre mark to the finish, Ms Mitchell struck her mount a further 4 or 5 times.

BLUE SKY AT NIGHT finished in 6th place.

Ms Mitchell agreed with the number of strikes. Mr Harris, by way of explanation, said that Ms Mitchell saw she had a chance and, in an effort, to win she had breached the Rules.

Decision

As Ms Mitchell admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submissions for Penalty

Mr Oatham advised the Adjudicative Committee that this is Ms Mitchell’s fifth breach of the Whip Rule within the (6 month) reset period. Previous breaches were:

17/05/25 – 8 strikes – 8-day suspension

17/05/25 – same day a further breach – 8 strikes – 8-day suspension

23/8/25 – 7 strikes – 7-day suspension and $450 as this was a Group 2 Race

27/10/25 – 7 Strikes – 6-day suspension

Mr Oatham submitted that for a fifth breach, the Penalty Guide provides a starting point penalty of a 5 plus day suspension. He recommended that a suspension of at least 7 days be imposed, considering Ms Mitchell’s record and the fact that this breach occurred in a Group 3 Race.

He also pointed out the Penalty Guide provides for a fine of 50% of the Rider’s share of stake money earned for breaches of the Whip Rule in any black type race. He added that as Ms Mitchell’s mount only ran 6th, 50% of the Rider’s fee would only be $57 and as an Apprentice Rider, her share of the stake money would generally be shared with her employer. In these circumstances, he felt the Adjudicative Committee may wish to waive any fine.

Ms Mitchell did not seek to defer any suspension.  She was about to commence a suspension, which would conclude on Wednesday 12 November.

Reasons for Penalty

Ms Mitchell struck her mount 8 times prior to the 100 metres. This is now Ms Mitchell’s fifth whip breach within the 6-month reset period.

The Penalty Guide starting point for a breach of this nature is a 5 (+) day suspension, plus a fine, being 50% of a Rider’s share of the stake.

As noted above, Ms Mitchell’s share of the stake is $57, but because she is an Apprentice Rider, typically she will share up to half of that with her employer.  Therefore, her actual money earned will be in the vicinity of about $25. In these circumstances, the Adjudicative Committee determined to waive the fine, which would be inconsequential.

The Adjudicative Committee took as a starting point, the 5 plus days as set out in the Penalty Guide. Ms Mitchell’s record, this being her fifth breach, is extremely poor and the Adjudicative Committee applied a 3-day suspension uplift to the starting point, to reflect her poor record.

Therefore, after considering the circumstances of the breach and the submissions, an 8-day suspension is imposed.

The Adjudicative Committee asked what affirmative action was being taken to improve Ms Mitchell’s use of the whip, as she has a long history of whip breaches. Mr Harris explained that the Apprentice School had commenced actively working through a process with her (and all Apprentices) to improve her whip technique and use, to reduce her reliance on the whip and ensure she operated within the Rules.

Conclusion

Ms Mitchell’s Licence to ride in races is suspended from the conclusion of racing on Wednesday 12 November, up to and including racing on Wednesday 26 November 2025 (8 national riding days).