Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC – 14 January 2026 – R8 – Corey Campbell

INFORMATION A21854:

Following the running of Race 8, Karaka 2026: 100^th National Yearling Sale Rating 65, Class A Rider, Corey Campbell, admitted a breach of rule 638(1)(d) in that, as the Rider of DIORESSENCE in the race, he rode carelessly in permitting his mount to shift outwards when not sufficiently clear of HENRY THOMAS (Tina Comignaghi) which was checked near the 650 metres.

Rule 638 provides as follows:

(1)    A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be:

         (d)   careless.

 EVIDENCE:

Stipendiary Steward, Veronica Fisher, had Stipendiary Steward, Mark Davidson, show the available video replays. Mr Davidson pointed out DIORESSENCE, ridden by Mr Campbell racing midfield on the rail with HENRY THOMAS racing, one-off, to its outside.

Mr Davidson then showed Mr Campbell shift to a one-off position with Ms Comignaghi’s mount “still there”, with two other runners to her outside. Mr Campbell continued to shift out, and was never a full length clear, forcing Ms Comignaghi to have to check her mount, he alleged. She lost her “rightful running”, Mr Davidson said.

Mr Campbell said that, about 100 metres before, he thought that Ms Comignaghi’s mount was being hard ridden and stopping, and he thought it would have “dropped completely out”. He did not realise that she was still there when he moved out, he said.

DECISION:

The breach having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mrs Fisher said that Mr Campbell has three previous breaches of the careless riding rule on his record. These are on:

1 March 2025 at Otago – suspended for 6 days (low-range breach, Listed Race);

1 March 2025 at Otago – suspended for 6 days (mid-range);

4 November 2025 at Otago – suspended for 5 days (low-to-mid range)

The level of carelessness, on this occasion, was in the low-to-mid range, Mrs Fisher submitted.

Mr Campbell wished any term of suspension to commence after the meeting of Waikouaiti RC at Wingatui on 17 January, for which meeting riders had been declared.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The breach is assessed by the Committee as being in the low-to-mid range and, in this respect, agrees with Mrs Fisher. The RIB Thoroughbred Penalty Guide (February 2025) suggests a starting point for penalty for such a breach of 6 national riding days.

Mr Campbell’s riding record may be regarded as a neutral factor. He has three breaches in the past 12 months period, but he is a busy South Island rider and will have had a large number of rides in that period. Moreover, two of the earlier breaches in that period were at the same meeting, over ten months ago. Mr Campbell is entitled to a discount from the 6-days starting point for his admission of the breach, and this is fixed at 1 day.

CONCLUSION – PENALTY:

Class A Rider, Corey’s Campbell’s licence to ride in races is suspended from after racing on 17 January next up to and including 24 January – 5 national riding days.