R Te Aroha 19 September 2025 – R2 – Joshua Parker
ID: RIB58924
Animal Name:
GAMBLE
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
19/09/2025
Race Club:
Racing Te Aroha
Race Location:
Te Aroha Racecourse - Stanley Road South, Te Aroha,
Race Number:
R2
Hearing Date:
19/09/2025
Hearing Location:
Te Aroha
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Jockey Joshua Parker is fined $350
BACKGROUND
Following the running of Race 2 at Te Aroha on Friday 19 September 2025, Rider Mr J Parker was charged with a breach of Rule 638(5)(b) in that he failed to retire his mount GAMBLE from the race when out of contention.
Rule 638(5)(b) provides:
A Rider in a Jumping race or trial must retire his or her horse from a race or trial immediately if:
(b) the horse is not in contention and/or is fatigued
EVIDENCE
Films of the incident were shown and commented on by Mr Oatham. These clearly showed that Jockey Mr J Parker and his mount GAMBLE were out of contention at the back of the field, with 3 fences to jump. Mr Parker jumped the third to last fence and rather than then retiring GAMBLE as he was out of contention, Mr J Parker continued on to jump the second to last fence. The horse fell at that fence.
Mr Oatham considered it was obvious that the horse should have been retired before that fence.
Jockey J Parker admitted it was an error of judgement. He noted that the horse had in fact jumped the second to last fence, but then slipped and fell after landing.
DECISION
As the charge was admitted, it was deemed to be proved.
SUBMISSIONS ON PENALTY
Mr Oatham suggested a monetary penalty was appropriate. He considered the breach to be at the lower end and compared it with the fine imposed on Rider T Moki at Woodville on 8 September 2024, a fine of $350.
Mr Parker had no comment.
REASONS FOR PENALTY
It could clearly be seen that GAMBLE had run its race and was well out of contention. Jockey J Parker continued on to the second last fence, when he should have retired the horse. It subsequent fell after slipping on landing at that fence.
Consideration was given to Jockey J Parker for the admittance of the breach. He had not been charged under this Rule before.
The Penalty Guidelines do not identify a starting point; any decision on a fine is fact dependent. The Adjudicative Committee considered the breach to be at the lower end and after considering all the circumstances, determined that a fine of $350 was appropriate.
CONCLUSION
Jockey Mr J Parker was fined $350.
Decision Date: 19/09/2025
Publish Date: 23/09/2025