Thoroughbred Stewards Inquiry – Apprentice Chris Graham (Pushin‘ Shapes)
Stewards today completed their deliberations regarding penalty following Apprentice Chris Graham being found guilty to a charge under AR129 (2), which states;
A rider must take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that the rider’s horse is given full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible place in the field.
Apprentice Graham was charged under the above rule in the following terms;
That he failed to take PUSHIN’SHAPES to the outside of STAR VALUE (B Parnham) shortly after straightening to improve his position and obtain clear running and from there on his riding of the gelding lacked vigour and purpose and therefore he did not place the gelding under the level of pressure required to fully test his mount when it was both reasonable and permissible to do so and consequently he did not give it full opportunity to win or obtain the best possible place in the field.
The inquiry was opened following the running of the race, the Kirin Megumi Handicap (1600m) at Ascot on Saturday 9 May 2020, with Apprentice Graham and Co-Trainer Daniel Pearce being questioned in relation to the riding and handling of PUSHIN’ SHAPES including the riding instructions issued. Apprentice Graham had reported to the Stewards following the race that he felt his saddle had shifted on jumping and felt loose throughout the race which he attributed to the considerable amount of packing required to make the gelding’s handicapped weight of 65 kilograms.
After taking evidence and viewing various angles of the race patrol vision, the inquiry was adjourned by the Stewards to review the past performances of PUSHIN’ SHAPES and to further analyse wagering activities on the race.
At the resumption of the inquiry on Tuesday 12 May 2020, further evidence was taken from Apprentice Chris Graham and Daniel Pearce. Mr Pearce stated that the riding instructions were to allow PUSHIN’ SHAPES to settle towards the rear of the field from its wide barrier. Such instructions were confirmed with Apprentice Graham. Stewards were satisfied given their assessment of the field and the form of PUSHIN’ SHAPES that no issue arose with respect to the instructions.
A review of betting data did not reveal any matters of concern.
Upon analysing the patrol vision using the various functions of the Hawkeye Vision System, the Stewards found no evidence to support the claims of Apprentice Graham regarding the concerns he held in relation to his saddle or that his mount was laying inwards or other runners were shifting ground outwards in front of his mount to the extent that he could not ride it out in a vigorous manner as required. Taking all matters and evidence into account he was subsequently found guilty of the charge on 12 May 2020 and advised that as a suspension would be imposed, he was removed from upcoming engagements immediately, whilst Stewards considered the length of suspension.
After taking into account all relevant matters, including;
• The principles and nature of the rule that had been breached. In particular that the offence was not one of the higher seriousness relating to not riding a horse on its merits.
• Range of penalties issued under this rule of suspension from riding in races of one to three months.
• His prior good record
• His personal circumstances and relative inexperience being an apprentice.
• The absence of any betting irregularities from the data available to the Stewards or other evidence that would aggravate the offending.
Apprentice Graham’s permit to ride in races was suspended for a period of two (2) months from midnight 9 May 2020 to midnight 8 July 2020.