South Canterbury RC 9 October 2025 – R6 – Brett Murray
ID: RIB59412
Animal Name:
MAP OF JAPAN
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
09/10/2025
Race Club:
South Canterbury Racing Club
Race Location:
Phar Lap Raceway - State Highway 1, Washdyke, Timaru,
Race Number:
R6
Hearing Date:
09/10/2025
Hearing Location:
Timaru
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Jockey Brett Murray was fined the sum of $600
Evidence:
Following the running of Race 6, the Respondent Class A Rider Brett Murray admitted a charge of misconduct which was filed pursuant to Rule 800(1). The Information alleged that “he misconducted himself by using foul language directed at another rider that could be heard by members of the public.”
Rule 800(1) reads: A Licensed Person, Owner, lessee, Racing Manager, Official or other person bound by these Rules must not misconduct themself in any matter relating to the conduct of Races or racing.
Evidence:
Stipendiary Steward Veronica Fisher gave evidence that following the race and when the horses were assembling outside the birdcage gate to return to scale, Stipendiary Steward Paul Williams, witnessed the Respondent, Brett Murray, who was riding MAP OF JAPAN, misconduct himself by using foul language directed at another Rider. This foul language could be heard by members of the public, who were situated in and around the birdcage.
Mr Murray stated he had lost his cool, which led to his foul language tirade.
Decision:
As the Respondent admitted the breach, the Adjudicative Committee finds the breach proved.
Submissions for Penalty:
Stipendiary Steward Mrs Fisher stated that Mr Murray’s record in regard to this Rule, was clear over the previous 12 months.
Mrs Fisher stated that historic penalties for misconduct, where foul language was directed at a fellow Rider, showed fines of $500 being imposed.
She submitted that a starting point of $500 be considered in this case, with the aggravating factor being that members of the public were able to hear the offensive language.
In terms of any proposed penalty, the Respondent elected to make no submissions.
Reasons for Penalty:
The Penalty Guide does not provide a starting point for misconduct breaches, apart from referring the Adjudicative Committee to fact dependent penalties.
Historic penalties where foul language was used against fellow Riders, showed the majority being fines within the vicinity of $500.
After consideration, the Adjudicative Committee adopted the starting point of $500. The aggravating factor was that members of the public were within hearing range of the foul language, which warranted an uplift in penalty. This uplift was set at $100.
After considering all submissions, the Adjudicative Committee determined that a fine of $600 was an appropriate penalty in this case.
Conclusion:
Mr Murray was fined the sum of $600.
Decision Date: 09/10/2025
Publish Date: 13/10/2025