Otago RC 30 November 2025 – R6 – Donovan Cooper

BACKGROUND

Following the running of Race 6, Class B Rider Donovan Cooper admitted a breach of Rule 638(1)(d) in that he permitted his mount, RADIANT LASS, to shift outwards when not sufficiently clear of DRAGON BISCUIT (ridden by T Comignaghi), which was checked near the 400 metre mark.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides:

A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

At the start of the hearing, Mr Cooper confirmed his admission of the breach and that he understood the Rule and the nature of the charge.

Mr Cooper was assisted by Apprentice Jockey Mentor, Jason Laking.

EVIDENCE

Senior Stipendiary Steward Mark Davidson invited his colleague, Rebecca Haley, to use the available race videos to illustrate the alleged breach. Ms Haley identified the Respondent, riding RADIANT LASS, endeavouring to improve 3-wide from a midfield position when rounding the home turn. Behind and to the outside of Mr Cooper was Ms Comignaghi, riding DRAGON BISCUIT, who was also attempting to improve.

Mr Cooper was shown moving wider on the track near the 400 metre mark when not sufficiently clear of Ms Comignaghi. The resulting interference caused DRAGON BISCUIT to clip a heel and stumble, Ms Haley said. Mr Cooper was not his own length and another clear when shifting ground, as required.

DRAGON BISCUIT finished in 7th place, beaten 11.2 lengths.

Mr Cooper had sustained a shoulder injury during the race which left him unable to properly ride out RADIANT LASS. This could be viewed as a mitigating factor, Ms Haley said, but he nonetheless “could have easily put Ms Comignaghi on the deck.”

Stewards played footage from early in the home straight, after the interference, which showed Mr Cooper was unable to ride out RADIANT LASS from about the 250 metre mark due to the serious injury to his right shoulder.

Mr Cooper said he started to feel a problem with his shoulder before the interference took place on the home bend, but was not incapacitated until entering the home straight. He said he was not aware of Ms Comignaghi improving to his outside. Mr Cooper confirmed that, at the time of the interference, he was in control of his horse.

Mr Laking submitted that angling wider and causing the interference was simply a misjudgement by Mr Cooper.

DECISION

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

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY

Stewards produced the Respondent’s record, which showed three previous breaches of the Rule within the 12-month period before a reset applies. Two of these breaches were found to be low to mid-range incidents of careless riding; the other breach was found to be in the low range.

Mr Davidson submitted that Mr Cooper’s record under the Rule could be considered neutral. Mr Cooper was a very busy Apprentice Jockey who had had 389 rides in the last 12 months. Stewards also noted that there had been a seven month gap between Mr Cooper’s penultimate careless riding breach in April and his most recent breach of the Rule on 12 November 2025.

Stewards assessed this breach to be mid-range. Ms Comignaghi had clipped a heel on the home turn and been put at risk of falling, Mr Davidson submitted.

Mr Cooper again confirmed he was in control of RADIANT LASS when he caused the interference. He did not wish to request a deferment of any suspension.

REASONS FOR PENALTY

Mr Cooper angles his horse wider on the home turn near the 400 metre mark and, in doing so, causes Ms Comignaghi to clip a heel. He is not his own length and another clear when shifting ground, as he is required to be under the Rules. The movement out is not abrupt but, at a vulnerable point in the race, does put Ms Comignaghi at risk of falling.

The Adjudicative Committee assesses the level of carelessness to be mid-range. The Racing Integrity Board’s Thoroughbred Racing Penalty Guide suggests a suspension of 7 national riding days as a starting point for a careless riding breach found to be at this level. The Adjudicative Committee adopts this as the starting point.

Three careless riding breaches by the Respondent in the previous 12 months is not a good record but, in context, can be considered neutral. None of these breaches were found to be higher than low to mid-level in seriousness. Mr Cooper is a very busy Apprentice Jockey, having had 389 rides in the last year. The Adjudicative Committee notes the seven month gap between Mr Cooper’s penultimate careless riding breach in April and his most recent breach of the Rule on 12 November 2025.

The injury to Mr Cooper’s right shoulder is potentially a key mitigating factor. Mr Cooper said he started feeling a problem with his shoulder before the interference took place on the home bend, but was not incapacitated until entering the home straight. The progressively worsening nature of what turned out to be a serious injury forced him to stop pushing and sit up on RADIANT LASS from about the 250 metre mark.

The Adjudicative Committee appreciates Mr Cooper’s honest submission on his injury. He accepts being in control of his horse when shifting out near the 400m mark. He does not offer his shoulder problem, which at the time of the interference is not compromising his riding action, as an excuse for his careless riding.

Mr Cooper’s admission of the breach is a mitigating factor, for which he is afforded a 1-day reduction in his period of suspension. This brings the length of his suspension to 6 days.

CONCLUSION

Apprentice Jockey Donovan Cooper’s Licence to ride in races is suspended from 1 December to 10 December 2025 (inclusive). This is 6 national riding days.