Auckland TR 5 April 2025 – R8 – Tayla Mitchell

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 8, the Respondent Apprentice Rider Ms T Mitchell (assisted by Mr N Harris), admitted a charge of careless riding which was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).  The Information alleged that as the Rider of FLANAGAN, she allowed her horse to shift out when not clear of ASTORIA BROOKE (M McNab), who was crowded and checked near the 150 metres.

The Respondent 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, Stipendiary Steward Mr G Stewart demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned.

Mr Stewart said that approaching the 150 metre mark, FLANAGAN commenced to drift outwards when being ridden forward with the whip. Ms Mitchell then continued to direct her mount out in search of a run.  As a result, FLANAGAN shifted across into the running line of ASTORIA BROOKE, causing its rider Mr McNab to take a strong hold and check his mount. Mr Stewart said that Ms Mitchell was not the required distance clear of ASTORIA BROOKE, when shifting ground.

In response, Ms Mitchell said that she shifted out initially to get a clear run and that “I may have over done it”. Mr Harris agreed that she shifted out too far and should have waited for a run to become available.  He also added that she should not have struck her mount when it commenced to shift outwards, rather she should have corrected and straightened up at that point.

Decision:

As the Respondent admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham said that from 327 rides in the past 12 months, Ms Mitchell had a clear record under the Careless Riding Rule. He described her record as “excellent”, given that she is a relatively busy Apprentice Rider.

Mr Oatham said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the low to mid-range and credit should be given for her excellent record and her admission of the breach.

Ms Mitchell advised of riding engagements through until 13 April 2025 and sought a deferment to any proposed suspension.

In terms of any proposed penalty, she reiterated that she shifted outwards too soon and overdid the shift.

Reasons for Penalty:

After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined Ms Mitchell’s carelessness to be in the low to mid-range and adopted a 6-day suspension as the starting point.

The available films clearly established that initially FLANAGAN commenced to drift outwards, but Ms Mitchell exacerbated the shift by continuing to direct her mount out whilst riding forward with the whip.  Mr Harris correctly pointed out that had she waited, a run would have eventually emerged for her to take.

Ms Mitchell is given credit for having had a clear record under the Rule for more than 12 months, therefore combined with her admission of the breach, she is afforded a 2-day reduction from the 6-day starting point.

After consideration of the above factors, a 4-day suspension was imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for a deferment is granted and her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 4 days, commencing after racing on 13 April 2025 and concluding after racing on 21 April 2025.