Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 19 February 2025 – R9 (heard 23 February 2025 at Ashburton) – Billy Jacobson

Evidence

This was an adjourned hearing from the Riccarton Park – Canterbury Jockey Club Meeting held at Riccarton on 19 February 2025.

Following the running of Race 9, the Respondent Class A Rider, Billy Jacobson admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use prior to the 100 metres, in that he struck his mount, POWERFUL MOSS, 10 times prior to the 100m.

Rule 638(3)(g)(i) provides that in a Flat Race a Rider must not:

(i) strike a horse with a whip more than 5 times prior to the 100-metre mark (other than in a slapping motion down the shoulder with the whip hand remaining on the reins); or

Using the available race films, Chief Stipendiary Steward John Oatham, with the assistance of Stipendiary Steward, Rebecca Haley, demonstrated the films and pointed out Mr Jacobson in the lead as the field turned for home. He showed that the Respondent struck his mount 10 times, from near the 400m to the 100-metre mark. He added that Mr Jacobson only struck POWERFUL MOSS on a further 2 occasions over the final 100m, before winning the race.

Mr Jacobson elected to make no submissions in regard to the breach, apart from not disputing the number of strikes alleged.

Decision

As the Respondent Mr Jacobson admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).

Submissions for Penalty

Mr Oatham produced the Respondent Mr Jacobson’s record, which indicated a previous breach at Auckland on 21 September 2024, where he received a 5 day suspension for a 2nd breach with 8 strikes prior to the 100m.

Mr Oatham stated the Penalty Guide provided, for a second breach of excessive whip use for 4 or more additional strikes, a 5 plus National Day suspension. He added that the fact that Mr Jacobson went on to win the race, even though it was an industry day race with a stake of $25,000, could be considered as an aggravating factor, with a slight increase in penalty considered.

Mr Jacobson made no submissions in regard to penalty, apart from requesting a deferment of suspension until after racing at Riccarton on 5 March 2025.

Reasons for Penalty

The Penalty Guide starting point for a breach of this nature is set out below.

For breaches of the Whip Rule prior to the 100m mark:

2nd offence starting point 5 plus National day suspension where there are 4 or more additional strikes.

This Adjudicative Committee determined that a 6 day starting point was warranted in this case. Mr Oatham’s submission that a slight uplift in penalty be considered, was balanced with the fact that it was 5 months since Mr Jacobson’s last breach in September 2024.

It was therefore determined that an appropriate penalty in this case was a 6 National Day suspension.

Conclusion

The Respondent, Mr Jacobson’s request for a deferment was granted. His Licence to ride is suspended from the conclusion of racing on 5 March 2025, up to and including 13 March 2025.