Southland RC 14 February 2026 – R5 – Lee Callaway

BACKGROUND

Following the running of Race 5, Class A Rider Lee Callaway admitted a breach of Rule 638(1)(d), in that he allowed his mount, HIGHLAND FLING, to shift outwards when not fully clear of HANGONHARRY (ridden by D Bothamley), which was crowded and checked passing the 100 metre mark.

Rule 638(1)(d) provides:

A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

At the start of the hearing, Mr Callaway confirmed his admission of the breach and that he understood the Rule and the nature of the charge.

EVIDENCE

Senior Stipendiary Steward Mark Davidson invited his colleague, Veronica Fisher, to use the available race videos to illustrate the alleged breach. Mrs Fisher identified Mr Callaway, riding HIGHLAND FLING, back in the field soon after straightening for home. Approaching the 150 metre mark, HIGHLAND FLING was shown building momentum behind a wall of four horses. To his outside was HANGONHARRY, ridden by Daniel Bothamley.

Approaching the 100 metre mark, HIGHLAND FLING was shown improving onto the heels of ACESANJACKS (T Moseley), whereupon Mr Callaway turned his horse’s head out and, pushing forward, attempted to find a gap between Mr Moseley and Mr Bothamley.

“Mr Callaway continues to ride his mount forward without straightening and, as a result, Mr Bothamley is crowded and checked,” Mrs Fisher said.

The Respondent said he had followed the outward movement by Mr Bothamley, expecting a gap to become available. However, after Mr Callaway turned his horse’s head out in anticipation of a gap, he said Mr Bothamley and Mr Moseley held their lines of running. Mr Callaway said he took hold and tried to pull his horse back off heels as soon as he realised a gap was not opening up. He added that HIGHLAND FLING had “a hard mouth,” which made his attempt to limit the interference more difficult.

Mr Callaway accepted that he had ridden carelessly in crowding and checking Mr Bothamley.

DECISION

As Mr Callaway has admitted the breach, it is found to be proved.

SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY

Stewards produced the Respondent’s record, which showed two previous careless riding breaches within the 12-month period before a reset applies:

*Otago RC – 28 March 2025 – suspended for 6 days (mid-range)

*Southland RC – 13 December 2025 – suspended for 5 days (mid to low-range).

Mr Callaway had had 90 rides in the previous 12 months, restricting his commitments while focusing on his training career.

Mr Davidson said he considered Mr Callaway’s record under the Rule to be neutral. The Adjudicative Committee subsequently confirmed that the Respondent had had 14 rides since his previous breach last December.

Stewards assessed this breach to be in the mid to low-range, Mr Davidson said. He accepted that Mr Callaway had tried to take hold when crowding Mr Bothamley. Mr Davidson did not believe the interference to HANGONHARRY had cost the horse the chance of finishing in a dividend-bearing position. HANGONHARRY finished 11th, beaten 9.53 lengths.

Stewards also noted that LATENIGHT GALAXY (ridden by B May) had shifted in marginally and contributed slightly to the interference to HANGONHARRY.

Mr Callaway agreed with the Stewards’ assessment of this breach as being in the mid to low-range. He stressed that his first breach (28 March 2025) was close to dropping off his record under the 12 month reset provision.

Mr Callaway did not seek a deferment, preferring any suspension to begin immediately.

REASONS FOR PENALTY

In angling out and pushing his horse forward approaching the 100 metre mark, the Respondent is blocked for a run and, as a consequence of his actions, crowds and checks Mr Bothamley. In short, Mr Callaway anticipates a gap that does materialise.

The Adjudicative Committee assesses the level of carelessness to be mid to low-range. Mr Callaway seeks to create a gap and, when he realises one is not opening for him, promptly attempts to restrain HIGHLAND FLING. However the damage is done. Mr Bothamley is checked and his horse, which appears to have already peaked on its run, drops out to finish in 11th place.

The Penalty Guide suggests a suspension of 6 national riding days as a starting point for a breach found to be at this level. The Adjudicative Committee adopts this as the starting point.

Mr Callaway has two previous careless riding breaches against a backdrop of reduced participation in the saddle. His first breach (last March) is close to dropping off his record under the 12-month reset provision. However, Mr Callaway has only had 14 rides since his previous breach, on 13 December 2025. Accordingly, his record is not held to be neutral and attracts a 1-day uplift in the period of suspension.

Offsetting this uplift is Mr Callaway’s admission of the breach and the slight contribution to the interference by LATENIGHT GALAXY. These mitigating factors warrant a 1-day reduction in the penalty. Overall, this results in a suspension of 6 national riding days.

CONCLUSION

Class A Rider Lee Callaway is suspended from riding in races from the conclusion of racing on 14 February 2026, up to and including racing on 25 February 2026, this being 6 national riding days.