Matamata RC 29 February 2024 – R8 – Ulrika Holmquist

Evidence:

Following the running of Race 8, Stipendiary Steward Mrs Selvakumaran filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging the Rider of NORTHERN RAIDER (U Holmquist),“directed her mount NORTHERN RAIDER outwards when not sufficiently clear of ROCKY BALBOA which was firmly contacted and unbalanced being forced wider near the 600 metres.”.

Ms Holmquist acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed her admission of the breach. Mr McLachlan (Rider Agent) was present at the hearing, but he was not permitted to participate, other than to confirm Ms Holmquist’s pending riding engagements.

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, Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr B Jones demonstrated the incident and identified the horses and Riders concerned; namely NORTHERN RAIDER (U Holmquist), and ROCKY BALBOA (C Grylls).

Mr Jones told the Adjudicative Committee that approaching the 800-metre mark, Mr Grylls improved his mount up onto the outside of NORTHERN RAIDER, who was racing behind the lead horse near the rails. He said that Ms Holmquist directed her mount outwards and made contact with ROCKY BALBOA.  At that point, Mr Grylls held his position and nearing the 600 metres, NORTHERN RAIDER shifted out again and made firm contact with ROCKY BALBOA, who was forced to race wider on the track.  Also, he pointed out that Mr Grylls became unbalanced as a result of the incident. At the time of the shift, Ms Holmquist’s mount was never her own length and one other clear of ROCKY BALBOA.  Mr Jones said that at best, both horses were racing “shoulder to shoulder” at the time.

Ms Holmquist said that she agreed with the Stewards’ interpretation of the incident “to a certain extent”. She accepted that she shifted out and put pressure on ROCKY BALBOA, but said part of the reason for the shift was that her horse “was trying to bite Mr Grylls’ horse”. Adding that her horse “charged” at ROCKY BALBOA.

Decision:

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

Submissions for Penalty:

Mrs Selvakumaran submitted that Ms Holmquist has a clear record under the Rule.  She has had 102 race rides since resuming riding in New Zealand (ex-Sweden) in December 2023.

Mrs Selvakumaran assessed the level of carelessness to be mid-range.   He suggested the penalty should be commensurate with the Penalty Guide starting point for a mid-range breach.

Ms Holmquist sought a deferment to any proposed suspension until after racing on 9 March 2024. She added that she had over 300 race rides in Sweden during the past year and her overall record was good.

Reasons for Penalty:

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

The available films clearly established that between the 800 and 600 metres, Ms Holmquist shifted  ground twice, and on each occasion, putting pressure on ROCKY BALBOA.  The second shift resulted in a firm bump which unbalanced Mr Grylls and ROCKY BALBOA was then forced to race wider on the track as a consequence.

Ms Holmquist said in her evidence, that her mount charged at and tried to bite ROCKY BALBOA.  On this point, the Adjudicative Committee reviewed the various camera angles and could neither confirm nor negate this. However what was clear, was the fact that Ms Holmquist directed her mount out when not sufficiently clear of ROCKY BALBOA.

From the 7-day starting point, a one-day reduction is applied for Ms Holmquist’s admission of the breach and her good riding record.

Therefore, after considering the above factors, the Adjudicative Committee deemed that a 6 day suspension was appropriate under the circumstances.

Conclusion:

The Adjudicative Committee granted Ms Holmquist a deferment to her suspension. Accordingly, her Licence to ride in races is suspended for a period of 6 days, commencing after racing on 9 March 2024 and concluding after racing on 20 March 2024.