Beaumont RC 16 March 2025 – R2 – Abdul Najib

Mr Najib admitted a breach of r 647(1) in that being the Rider of RED MOON RISING, which was placed 4th in Race 2, he failed to weigh in as required following the race. The facts are as outlined in the related Ruling.

Decision

As Mr Najib has admitted the breach, it is found to be proved.

Submissions as to Penalty

Mr Davidson produced the Respondent’s record, which is clear under this Rule. He emphasised the breach impacted upon the integrity of racing and the penalty had to reflect this fact. He referred the Adjudicative Committee to two cases where a suspension had been imposed, where the horses had been disqualified for a breach of this Rule. One was a disqualification from first place (May 2023) where the penalty was 5½ weeks and the other (McNeill 2023) from 4th placing, as here, where the penalty was a 2-week suspension.

Mr Davidson sought a 2-week suspension. Mr Davidson also submitted that Mr Najib’s riding fee should be forfeited. Rule 357(2) provides;

“Where a horse is disqualified from a Race by reason of the fault or misconduct of the Rider, the applicable riding fee will not payable provided however that if the Adjudicative Committee is satisfied the disqualification is due to inexperience or inadvertence, it may direct that the Rider be paid the applicable riding fee”.

Both Mr Moseley and Mr Najib agreed with Mr Davidson’s submissions. Mr Najib asked for a deferment until after the meeting on 22 March. Mr Davidson did not object to this.

Reasons for Penalty

The two cases Mr Davidson refers to are helpful. A breach of this Rule is rare and confirms that Mr Najib’s failure is one that he, as a relatively experienced Apprentice Jockey, should not have made. Disqualification from 4th is to be regarded as a less serious breach, than where a horse has finished first. Fewer investments are affected and the stake money lost is less.

Mr Najib’s failure to weigh in is a fundamental error that calls into question the integrity of the Industry and, in that regard, is a serious breach deserving of a significant penalty. The impact of Mr Najib’s actions upon the connections of RED MOON RISING and the betting public, must be reflected in the penalty. A suspension at the level of 2-weeks, as submitted by Mr Davidson, which is consistent with the penalty in the case of McNeill, is appropriate.

Conclusion

Mr Najib’s Licence to ride in races is suspended from the conclusion of racing on Saturday, 22 March, up to and including Saturday, 5 April. This is 2 weeks (8 national riding days). It is not appropriate that the connections of RED MOON RISING pay Mr Najib a riding fee. Mr Najib’s riding fee for Race 2 is forfeited pursuant to r 357(2).