The National Horseracing Authority confirms that an Appeal against the finding and the penalty imposed by an Inquiry Board upon Jockey Marco van Rensburg was heard on 11 September 2019.
Background
Jockey van Rensburg was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7, in that whilst riding YESSIRICANBOOGIE, he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to WHAT YOU ARE, ridden by Jockey C Orffer in the concluding stages of Race 5, the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship run at Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse on 25 May 2019. A penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of seven days was imposed on him.
The Appeal Board, after considering the record, the Grounds of Appeal and the response thereto, as well as the arguments made on behalf of Jockey van Rensburg and the National Horseracing Authority, was of the view that:
- The Appeal on the guilty finding should be dismissed, in that between the 100m to the 75m, whilst riding YESSIRICANBOOGIE, Jockey van Rensburg failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to WHAT YOU ARE, ridden by Jockey C Orffer in Race 5 at Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse on 25 May 2019.
- The Appeal Board did not accept that there was any so-called pressure from MISS FLORIDA (Apprentice L Ferraris) as suggested, which was the main basis of the Appeal.
- On the issue of the penalty, the Appeal Board upheld the penalty of a seven day suspension, however, was of the view when giving consideration to the extent of the interference and that this was a Gr1 race, that if a penalty of a ten day suspension had been imposed by the Inquiry Board, it would in all likelihood not have interfered with that sanction.
- The Appeal is dismissed on both the finding and the penalty.
- In terms of Rule 85.5.8, Jockey van Rensburg’s appeal fee is forfeited.
- Press release issued by National Horseracing Authority on Thursday 12 September 2019
