Otago RC 1 June 2025 – R3 – Hayley Hassman

Miss Haley alleged that Ms Hassman failed to ride her mount (CIMARRON) out fully to the finish of Race 3 with her horse being placed 5th when there was a reasonable opportunity to be placed 4th.

Rule 636(1)(d) provides that:  “the Rider of a horse in a Race, must ride his horse out to the end of the Race if there is a reasonable chance of it running into a position for which there is prize money to be awarded or a dividend to be declared”.

Mrs Fisher demonstrated on the videos that the Respondent, who was racing in the centre of the track, was initially riding her mount out to the finish with vigour. Some 3 strides from the finish, Ms Hassman’s body position changed and she relaxed her ride and she was beaten into 4th by WICKHAM, which was racing to her outside. The margin was a nose.

Mr Laking said it was perhaps about 2 ½ strides from the finish and it was a misjudgement by an inexperienced Apprentice Rider.

Ms Hassman said she had seen the other Jockeys were up and had misjudged the finish.

Decision

As Ms Hassman has admitted the breach, it is found to be proved.

Submissions as to Penalty

Miss Haley produced the Respondent’s record, which was clear under this Rule. She said Ms Hassman had been riding for some 2 ½ months. She was a 4kg claimer and had had 60 rides in that time. (It is also noted that she had 5 rides as an Amateur Rider back in 2023.) Miss Haley agreed that it was a misjudgement on the part of Ms Hassman. The starting point in the Penalty Guide where the dividend bearing position in question is 4th, is 2 weeks.

Ms Hassman said this was the first time she had been charged with any breach of the Rules. She agreed with Miss Haley’s submissions. Ms Hassman asked for a deferment until after the meeting on 8 June 2025. The Stewards did not object to this.

Reasons for Penalty

Ms Hassman has misjudged the finish of Race 3. She has sat up some 3 strides from the finish and has finished 5th, beaten for 4th by a nose. She is an inexperienced Apprentice Rider, with a previously unblemished record. She has admitted the breach at the first opportunity. A small reduction from a 2-week starting point is appropriate for these personal mitigating factors.

Conclusion

Ms Hassman’s Licence to ride in races is suspended from the conclusion of racing on 8 June, up to and including 20 June 2025. This is 5 national riding days.