The National Horseracing Authority confirms that an Appeal was held in Johannesburg on 29 May 2019, against the finding and the penalty imposed on Jockey Gavin Lerena by an Inquiry Board on 13 March 2019.
Background
Jockey Lerena was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7, in that whilst riding SYLVAN ON FIRE he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to other runners leaving the 200m in Race 4 run at Turffontein Racecourse on 2 March 2019.
Jockey Lerena pleaded not guilty to the charge, but was found guilty of the charge.
When assessing the penalty, the Inquiry Board took into consideration Jockey Lerena’s clean record with regard to a contravention of this particular Rule over the past two years and imposed a penalty of a suspension from riding in races for a period of 10 days.
Jockey Lerena Appealed against both the finding and penalty imposed.
The Appeal Board found as follows:
- The appeal against the guilty finding was dismissed.
- The Appeal Board was of the opinion that the Inquiry Board had erred in failing to attach sufficient weight to the mitigating factors and that the interference was not as serious in nature as other incidents and associated suspensions meted out to various Riders for interference transgressions.
The Appeal Board set aside the penalty imposed by the Inquiry Board and substituted it with a penalty suspending Mr Lerena from riding in races for a period of (7) seven days.
- In terms of Rule 85.5.8 Jockey Lerena’s appeal deposit fee was refunded.
- Press release issued by NHA on Wednesday 5 June 2019
