Auckland TR 9 April 2025 – R4 – Lynsey Satherley

Evidence

This charge arises from the running of race 4, the Stella Artois 2200m.  Stipendiary Steward Mrs Veronica Fisher filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging the Rider of LAGOBEE (L Satherley) permitted her mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of RICHARD FARRELL, which was checked and forced inwards into KAIMAI WARRIOR, which was also checked near the 2000 metres.

Ms Satherley 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 available video footage (head, side and rear), Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham demonstrated the incident and identified all horses and Riders concerned.  He said Ms Satherley’s mount, LAGOBEE, jumped from the outside barrier (No.10) from the 2200 metre start point.  He said that Ms Satherley shifted inwards into the running line of RICHARD FARRELL (K Myers), who was checked and forced onto KAIMAI WARRIOR (T Moodley), who was also checked.  He also pointed out that SIX FLAGS (C Grylls), who was racing on the rails, was inconvenienced and had to check to avoid the heels of KAIMAI WARRIOR.

In response, Ms Satherley said that although she dictated Ms Myers’ mount inwards, RICHARD FARRELL had already shifted in.  Ms Satherley accepted that she had an obligation to be clear of runners when shifting, but said that “none of the affected Riders yelled out” and had they done so, she would have straightened immediately.

Decision

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

Submissions for Penalty

Mrs Fisher said that Ms Satherley has breached the Careless Riding Rule once in the past 12 months, from 244 raceday rides.  That breach occurred on 7 December 2024 and resulted in a 4-day suspension.

Mrs Fisher said Stewards assessed the level of carelessness to be in the mid -range, which has a starting point of 7 days suspension.

Ms Satherley sought a deferment to any proposed suspension, until after racing on 19 April 2025.  In terms of proposed penalty, Ms Satherley had nothing further to add.

Reasons for Penalty

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

The available films established that Ms Satherley shifted inwards from the outside barrier at the 2200 metre start.  She was not her own length and one other clear of RICHARD FARRELL, who was dictated onto KAIMAI WARRIOR, who was checked.  SIX FLAGS was also checked as a result.

It was noted that the early stages of the race were ‘untidy’ – nearing the 2100 metres, RICHARD FARRELL shifted in onto PORTRAIT, who was checked.  That interference cannot be attributed to Ms Satherley’s inward shift.

There are no particular aggravating factors associated with the breach.

Ms Satherley admitted the breach at the first available opportunity, and she has a very good riding record.   For those combined factors, the Adjudicative Committee afforded her a 1-day reduction from the 7-day starting point.

After taking into account all the above factors, the Adjudicative Committee considered that an appropriate suspension was 6 national days.

Conclusion

The Adjudicative Committee granted Ms Satherley a deferment to her suspension.  Accordingly, her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 days, commencing after racing on 19 April 2025 and concluding after racing on 30 April 2025.