Riccarton Park – Canterbury JC 26 October 2024 – R10 – Yogesh Atchamah

BACKGROUND:

Following the running of Race 10, Helston & Associates Rating 75, Class B Jockey, Yogesh Atchamah, admitted a breach of Rule 638(1)(d) in that, as the Rider of IFFIDIDIT in the race, he rode carelessly in shifting ground inwards approaching the 400 metres, contacting BEAU BRUMMELL (Wiremu Pinn) which was forced inwards crowding and causing interference to PEACHY KEEN (Ashvin Goindasamy), POWERFUL MOSS (Lily Sutherland) and MISS PEARL (Jasmine Fawcett).

Mr Atchamah was assisted at the hearing by Apprentice Jockey Mentor, Jason Laking.

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:

Chief Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham, had Stipendiary Steward, Rebecca Haley, show the incident on the available video replays. Ms Haley showed that the field had run to the outside of the track turning for home. She pointed out IFFIDIDIT, ridden by Mr Atchamah, amongst runners with BEAU BRUMMELL to its outside. She showed that Mr Atchamah then shifted his mount outwards onto BEAU BRUMMELL, which caused a chain reaction involving the two runners to its outside, PEACHY KEEN and MISS PEARL.

Mr Atchamah said that his horse was “travelling”, but he was having problems with visibility. His horse clipped a heel and he had nowhere to go. Mr Laking said that Mr Atchamah had made an error of judgment in shifting too quick to avoid the heels of the runner in front. His movement had led to a chain reaction on the wet track. With the field racing on the outside fence, rather than having to shift out to avoid heels, Mr Atchamah had to shift in, Mr Laking said.

DECISION:

The breach having been admitted, it is deemed proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY:

Mr Oatham said that Mr Atchamah has four previous breaches of the Careless Riding Rule on his record. These are on:

9 November 2023 at Ashburton – suspended for 7 days (above mid-range breach);

2 June 2024 at Otago – suspended for 4 days (low-range);

27 June 2024 at Riccarton – suspended for 6 days (low-range to include 1 South Island day); and

4 July 2024 at Ashburton – suspended for 7 days (low-to-mid range, poor record)

The Respondent has had 336 rides in the past 12 months and 114 since the most recent breach, he said, and the most recent breach was almost four months ago. The level of carelessness was “relatively low” but there were consequences to three other runners, he said. Stewards put the breach in the low-to-mid range, having regard to the weather and track conditions.

Mr Laking submitted that, while Mr Atchamah’s record looks poor, in the last 3 months, his riding has improved greatly. He agreed that the breach was low-to-mid range and involved “a stride of misjudgment”.

Mr Atchamah wished any term of suspension to commence immediately.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The breach is assessed by the Adjudicative Committee as being in the low-to-mid range and, in this respect, agrees with Mr Oatham. Mr Atchamah’s carelessness has caused interference to three other runners to a greater or lesser extent. The RIB Thoroughbred Penalty Guide (March 2024) suggests a starting point for penalty for such a breach of 6 national riding days.

The Respondent’s riding record may be regarded as an aggravating factor. He has four breaches in the past 12 months period. In that period, the Respondent has had 336 rides. The Penalty Guide starting point of a 6-days suspension is uplifted by 2 days for that record. Mr Atchamah is entitled to a discount from the uplifted starting point for his admission of the breach and this is fixed at 1 day.

CONCLUSION:

Class B Jockey, Yogesh Atchamah’s Licence to ride in races is suspended from 27 October 2024 to 5 November 2024 both dates inclusive – 7 national riding days.