Non Raceday Inquiry – Written Penalty Decision dated 5 December 2025 – Brett Murray

Evidence

The Respondent Class A Rider, Brett Murray admitted a breach of Rule 610(2)(a) alleging “that on 2 December 2025, at the Riccarton Park Training Centre, he rode his horse THE STOLEN ONE without a properly fastened body protector at the Riccarton Jump outs.”

The Respondent acknowledged he understood the Rule, the nature of the charge and confirmed his admission of the breach.

Rule 610(2)(a) provides;

(2) A Rider shall, when mounted on a horse, wear:

(a) a properly fastened body protector of a type and standard approved by NZTR, which shall be in a satisfactory condition and shall have attached to it a manufacturer’s label that states that it complies with the relevant type and standard approved by NZTR;

Mrs Fisher gave evidence that she was attending track work and the Jump outs at the Riccarton Park Training Centre on the morning of 2 December 2025 when in Heat 3, she was viewing the loading of the horses behind the rail near the 1400m start. She said that Mr Murray rode his horse, THE STOLEN ONE, to the the barriers and dismounted when the horse was being loaded into the gates.  Mrs Fisher stated that she noticed that Mr Murray did not appear to have a safety vest on and when she asked him, he confirmed he was not wearing a vest as required.

Mr Murray elected to make no submission in regard to the breach.

Decision

As the Respondent Mr Murray admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).

Submissions for Penalty

Mrs Fisher stated that this breach is normally dealt with by the Minor Infringement Scheme on race day or trials meetings, but as this offence was detected at Jump outs, an Information was filed with authority to charge provided by the CE of the RIB, Mr Eliot Forbes. Mrs Fisher produced the Respondent’s record, which indicated a clear record.

Mrs Fisher stated that the Penalty Guide provided for a first offence under the MIN system, a fine of $500. She submitted that a fine commensurate with the Penalty Guide be considered as penalty on this occasion.

Mr Murray elected to make no submissions in regard to penalty.

Reasons for Penalty

The Penalty Guide starting point for a breach of this nature is set out in the Minor Infringement Notice system, where an initial breach of this Rule is dealt with by way of a $500 fine.

This Adjudicative Committee determined that there were no aggravating factors to consider, therefore no uplift was warranted.

It was therefore determined, that an appropriate penalty in this case was a $500 fine, commensurate with the Penalty Guide MIN system.

Conclusion

The Respondent Mr Murray is fined the sum of $500.