The National Horseracing Authority confirms that an Appeal was held in Johannesburg on 15 November 2019, against the finding and the penalty relating to a contravention of Rule 72.1.11 imposed by an Inquiry Board on 8 August 2019.
BACKGROUND:
At an Inquiry held at its offices in Turffontein on 8 August 2019, Jockey M Yeni was charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.11, in that whilst riding the horse MR GREENLIGHT, he intimidated and interfered with Jockey L Hewitson, when he took his hand off his left side rein and placed it on Jockey Hewitson’s arm, in the second race at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on 27 July 2019.
Mr Yeni pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Inquiry Board found Mr Yeni guilty of the charge.
In determining a suitable penalty, the Inquiry Board balanced Mr Yeni’s factors in mitigation with the need to protect the integrity of horseracing, the public’s perception regarding racing control and from circumstances which have the potential to cause danger to both horse and rider. Accordingly, the Inquiry Board imposed a suspension from riding in races for a period of 90 (ninety) days.
Mr Yeni was afforded the right of Appeal against the finding and the penalty imposed.
The National Horseracing Authority and Mr Yeni were legally represented at the Appeal hearing.
The Appeal Board found as follows:
The Appeal Board dismissed the Appeal in respect of the guilty finding by the Inquiry Board as well as the penalty imposed by the Inquiry Board.
The Appeal Board noted that because of the seriousness of the contravention by Mr Yeni, if appropriate evidence in respect of aggravation of penalty had been led on behalf of The National Horseracing Authority, the Appeal Board would have been prepared to consider interfering with the penalty imposed, by increasing same. However, the Appeal Board elected not to interfere with the penalty imposed by the Inquiry Board of a suspension from riding in races for a period of 90 (ninety) days.
The Appeal Board ordered that the prescribed fee be forfeited in terms of rule 85.5.8.
Andrews Anthony 24 Nov 2019 to 03 Dec 2019
Habib Calvin 31 Oct 2019 to 31 Dec 2019
Little Chad 27 Sep 2019 to 27 Sep 2024
Norton Franny 17 Nov 2019 to 23 Nov 2019
Winnaar Morne 28 Nov 2019 to 04 Dec 2019 Yeni Muzi 01 Dec 2019 to 28 Feb 2020
Zackey Craig 01 Dec 2019 to 07 Dec 2019
Craig Pienaar wrote: Should count himself lucky , it wasn't a longer suspension imo and the biggest joke is he pleads not guilty , unfricking believable
Also makes me wonder. Should've been extended for a frivolous appeal. What on earth grounds were there ever to appeal this is beyond me. Clearly being used as a time wasting tactic. We all saw the video footage and all know the nature of the relationship he had with Lyle at the time... 90 days for what happened is actually too low; What happens should Lyle have fell off and broke his leg while being trampled by the other horses.
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