Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 24 July 2025 – R6 – Krishna Mudhoo

Following the running of Race 6, Sedgewick – Together We Thrive Rating 65, Class A Jockey, Krishna Mudhoo, admitted a breach of Rule 638(1)(d) in that, as the Rider of SWAY UP in the race, he “allowed his mount to shift ground inwards when not fully clear of ISLEBEFINE (Mereana Hudson), which had to steady when crowded near the 50 metres and continued to shift inwards placing JING JING (Rohan Mudhoo) in restricted room over the concluding stages.

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 Steward, Rebecca Haley, show video replays of the final 100 metres of the race. She pointed out SWAY UP, ridden by Mr Mudhoo, finishing on, the second-to-widest runner on the track. To its inside in a bunch of runners was ISLEBEFINE, ridden by Mereana Hudson, and to the inside of that runner was JING JING, ridden by Rohan Mudhoo.

Ms Haley showed that Mr Mudhoo, riding his mount out, commenced to shift in and crowded ISLEBEFINE. Ms Hudson had to restrain her mount. Mr Mudhoo continued to shift in while still riding his mount out and checked JING JING, placing it in restricted room, approximately 50 metres from the finishing line.

Mrs Fisher submitted that JING JING, which finished 5th, may have lost 4th placing as a result of the interference received.

Mr Mudhoo said that he was aware of the runners to his inside. His mount was getting tired, but running on at the same time, so he kept on riding, he said.

DECISION:

The breach having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mrs Fisher said that Mr Mudhoo has only one careless riding breach on his record – at Riccarton on 19 February 2025, suspended 4 days for a low-level breach. He has had 203 rides in the last 12 months. His record is a very good one, Mrs Fisher said.

Stewards saw the breach as being in the low-to-mid level range, Mrs Fisher said. Mr Mudhoo had shifted in over a considerable distance, without correcting his mount.

Mr Mudhoo requested that any term of suspension commence immediately.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The Adjudicative Committee agrees that the carelessness was in the low-to-mid range. In terms of the RIB Thoroughbred Racing Penalty Guide, the appropriate starting point for penalty is a 6-days suspension. The level of carelessness factors in that the interference to JING JING, may have cost that runner 4th placing in the race. However, mitigating factors are Mr Mudhoo’s admission of the breach and, in particular, his excellent riding record as pointed out by Mrs Fisher, for which factors the Adjudicative Committee gives a 1-day discount from the 6-days starting point, resulting in a final penalty of a 5-days suspension.

CONCLUSION:

Class A Jockey, Krishna Mudhoo’s Licence to ride in races is suspended from after 24 July 2025, up to and including 2 August 2025, after which day he may ride – 5 national riding days.