Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 24 January 2026 – R9 – Brandon May
ID: RIB63188
Animal Name:
THE DIVINER
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Number:
R9
Hearing Date:
24/01/2026
Hearing Location:
Riccarton Park, Christchurch
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Class A Rider Brandon May is fined $250
Evidence
Following the running of Race 9, the Respondent Class A Rider, Brandon May, admitted a charge alleging excessive whip use prior to the 100 metres in “that he struck his mount THE DIVINER 6 times prior to the 100metres.”
The Respondent acknowledged he understood the Rule, the nature of the charge and confirmed his admission of the breach.
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 replays, Senior Stipendiary Steward, Mark Davidson, demonstrated that the Respondent struck his mount 6 times from near the 300m to the 100-metre mark. He added that Mr May struck THE DIVINER on a further 6 occasions prior to the post, which excluded him from the exemption available under the Rules.
Mr May stated that his mount was labouring at the time and he miscounted the number of strikes prior to the 100m.
Decision
As Mr May admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved (Rule 915(1)(d) refers).
Submissions for Penalty
Mr Davidson produced the Respondent’s record, which indicated a previous breach at Kurow on 30 December 2025, where he received a $300 fine for 2 additional strikes and the fact that he won the race.
He stated the Penalty Guide for a 2nd breach of excessive whip use for 1 additional strike was a $250 fine and submitted that a fine commensurate with the Penalty Guide be considered as penalty.
Mr May elected to make no submissions in regard to penalty.
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 $250 fine where there is 1 additional strike
This Adjudicative Committee determined that there were no aggravating factors to consider.
It was therefore determined that an appropriate penalty in this case was a $250 fine, commensurate with the Penalty Guide.
Conclusion
The Respondent Mr May is fined the sum of $250.
Decision Date: 24/01/2026
Publish Date: 27/01/2026