Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 15 January 2025 – R5 – Yogesh Atchamah

ID: RIB50797

Respondent(s):
Yogesh Atchamah - Apprentice Jockey

Applicant:
Mark Davidson - Chair of Stewards

Adjudicators:
O K Jarvis

Persons Present:
Mark Davidson, John Oatham, Jason Laking, Yogesh Atchamah

Information Number:
A20256

Decision Type:
Race Related Charge

Charge:
Careless Riding

Rule(s):
638(1)(d) - Riding/driving infringement

Plea:
Admitted

Animal Name:
THATS CHARMING

Code:
Thoroughbred

Race Date:
15/01/2025

Race Club:
Canterbury Jockey Club

Race Location:
Riccarton Park - 165 Racecourse Road, Christchurch,

Race Number:
R5

Hearing Date:
15/01/2025

Hearing Location:
Riccarton Park

Outcome: Proved

Penalty: Apprentice Jockey Yogesh Atchamah is suspended for 8 days

SUMMARY OF FACTS:

Following the running of Race 5, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr Mark Davidson, against Apprentice Jockey, Mr Yogesh Atchamah, alleging careless riding, in that he permitted his mount THAT’S CHARMING to shift ground outwards when not sufficiently clear, crowding three other runners who were checked near the 100 metre mark.

Rule 638(1)(d) reads as follows;

“(1) A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be:

    (d) careless”

Mr Atchamah was assisted by Mr Laking, the Apprentice Jockey Mentor, during the hearing. Mr Atchamah had indicated on the Information that this breach of the Rules was admitted, which he confirmed at the hearing. Mr Atchamah also acknowledged that he understood the charge and the Rule it was brought under.

SUBMISSIONS:

Mr Davidson, with the assistance of Mr Oatham, used the race films to show the incident. Mr Oatham said that Mr Atchamah attempted to move outwards when there was insufficient room. At the same time, a horse wider on the track also began to lay in, which added to the tightness and meant there was no room for margin of error. The three runners between Mr Atchamah’s mount and the horse that was running wider on the track, were checked significantly.

Mr Atchamah explained that he saw a small gap and moved too early.  Mr Laking outlined that it was a clear lack of judgement and agreed with the Stewards that while it was not a lot of movement, there was a lot of damage as a result.

DECISION:

As Mr Atchamah had admitted the breach, the charge was found to be proved.

SUBMISSIONS ON PENALTY:

Mr Davidson said Mr Atchamah had five relevant prior breaches of this Rule. Accordingly, the Stewards consider his record was poor:

  • 2 August 2024 at Otago, where 4 days was imposed for a low range breach
  • 27 August 2024 at Riccarton, where 6 days was imposed for a low range breach
  • 4 July 2024, where 7 days was imposed for a low range breach
  • 20 October 2024 at Riccarton, where 7 days was imposed for a low range breach
  • 30 December 2024 at Kurow, where 6 days was imposed for a low range breach

Mr Davidson said this was a mid-level breach, as the movement was not huge, but the consequences were high. Mr Davidson sought a starting point of seven days, with an uplift for Mr Atchamah’s poor record. Further, Mr Davidson outlined that they were seeking that Mr Atchamah be referred to the Rider Skills Review Panel.

Mr Laking said that Mr Atchamah is a busy Rider. He outlined this breach was an obvious one and that Mr Atchamah had made a silly mistake, but acknowledged that silly mistakes can lead to big consequences.

Mr Atchamah sought a deferment until the end of racing on 18 January 2025.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Adjudicative Committee agrees that this breach is within the mid-range, due to the impact on the other runners. A starting point of seven days is appropriate. The Adjudicative Committee also agrees that there should be an uplift for Mr Atchamah’s poor record, this is determined to be set at two days.  Credit of one day is appropriate for Mr Atchamah’s guilty plea and the fact that the other horse had been laying in, which contributed to the overall consequences.

Accordingly, a suspension of eight days is appropriate.

Mr Atchamah was reminded to take a further second before he attempts to shift ground. His record is adding up and while many of his breaches fall within the low range, this incident highlighted that even small movements can have big consequences. The Adjudicative Committee agrees entirely that Mr Atchamah should also be referred to the Rider Skills Review Panel.

CONCLUSION:

Mr Atchamah is suspended for 8 national riding days, from the close of racing on Saturday 18 January 2025, up to and including Friday 31 January 2025.

Decision Date: 15/01/2025

Publish Date: 20/01/2025