Auckland TR 8 November 2025 – R8 – Courtney Barnes

Evidence

Following Race 8, the Respondent, Courtney Barnes (Rider), admitted to a charge of excessive whip use prior to the 100-metre mark.

Rule 638(3)(g)(i) states that in a Flat Race, a rider must not:

(i) strike a horse with a whip more than five times before the 100-metre mark (except in a slapping motion down the shoulder with the whip hand remaining on the reins).

Using race footage, Deputy Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr B Jones demonstrated that the Respondent struck her mount nine times from the straight entrance to the 100-metre mark. He noted that the strikes were not forceful.

In response, by way of explanation, the Respondent Ms Barnes explained that her actions were unintentional and that she had lost count.

Decision

As the Respondent Ms Barnes admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (see Rule 915(1)(d)).

Submissions for Penalty

Mr Jones presented the Respondent, Ms Barnes’ record, which showed a clear record under this Rule in the preceding 12 months, with 544 rides during that period.

Ms Barnes cited her good record as a mitigating factor.

Ms Barnes did not seek deferment of any suspension imposed, but informed the Adjudicative Committee that she already had a suspension for an earlier riding infringement, commencing after racing on 8 November 2025 and concluding after racing on 14 November 2025. Ms Barnes requested that any suspension imposed, or part thereof, be commuted to a fine to allow her to return to riding on 22 November 2025.

Reasons for Penalty

The Penalty Guide’s starting point for a breach of this nature is five national riding days.

After considering the film evidence, submissions, and the number and frequency of strikes (which were not forceful), the Adjudicative Committee determined there were no compelling reasons to depart from the Penalty Guide’s starting point.

The Adjudicative Committee considered Ms Barnes’ request to commute any suspension or part thereof to a fine. It noted that departures from the Penalty Guide are permitted only in exceptional circumstances. The Adjudicative Committee concluded that, while it was unfortunate Ms Barnes already had another suspension due to begin, this did not constitute exceptional circumstances. Therefore, the threshold to depart from the Penalty Guide was not met.

As Ms Barnes struck her mount nine times before the 100-metre mark, a suspension of five national riding days is imposed.

Conclusion

Ms Barnes’ Licence to ride in races is suspended for five national riding days, from the close of racing on 14 November 2025, until the close of racing on 22 November 2025.