R Tauranga 21 June 2025 – R8 – Gareth Lahoud

BACKGROUND

Following the running of Race 8, Apprentice Rider Mr G Lahoud admitted a charge of using the whip in consecutive strides. The particulars being that he struck his mount FAMILY FOLKS 3 times consecutively inside the last 100 metres.

Rule 638(3)(g)(ii) provides that in a flat Race or Trial a rider must not:

‘(ii) strike a horse with a whip in consecutive strides at any stage of the race.’

At the hearing Mr Lahoud confirmed his admission of the breach and that he understood the rule and the nature of the charge.

EVIDENCE

Trainee Stipendiary Steward Ms Jillings used the race film to identify the respondent riding FAMILY FOLKS, challenging for the lead in the last 100 metres. Mr Lahoud could be seen striking his horse three consecutive times.

FAMILY FOLKS went on to finish 2nd, a nose behind the winner and 1 length ahead of the third horse.

Mr Lahoud agreed with the Steward’s interpretation of the race film.

DECISION

As Mr Lahoud admitted the charge it is found to be proved.

SUBMISSIONS ON PENALTY

Mr Jones noted that Mr Lahoud had been issued with a warning on 18 June 2025 in relation to using his whip in 2 consecutive strides. Therefore, this charge was his second offence under that rule. The NZ Thoroughbred Racing Penalty Guide proposes a starting point for a second offence with 3 consecutive strikes to be a starting point of a $500 fine.

He noted that consideration could be given to an uplift as the horse had run second in the race.

Mr Harris, in mitigation, submitted that Mr Lahoud was an inexperienced Apprentice Rider. He had just returned to riding after an injury, and just needed to “settle down” and calm his approach.

REASONS FOR PENALTY

The Penalty Guide suggests a starting point of $500 for a second breach involving 3 consecutive strikes. The Adjudicative Committee adopted this as the starting point in this case.

An uplift (often $100) has at times been applied in cases of riders winning non-black type races after using the whip in breach of the rules. In this case Mr Lahoud ran second (by a nose) and was 1 length in front of the third horse.

After considering all the circumstances the Adjudicative Committee determined a fine of $500 was appropriate.

CONCLUSION

Mr Lahoud is fined $500.