RE: ENQUIRY INTO THE RUNNING AND RIDING OF “VALEGRO” (LEIGH ROCHE, DR.5) IN RACE NO.117 – THE EBCO LIVSMART MILLION (1400METRES) RUN ON 1st FEBRUARY, 2020 :

Trainer P. Shroff and Jockey Leigh Roche were questioned together on 7th February, 2020. Trainer P. Shroff said that Jockey Leigh Roche rides the horse in work everyday and he had ridden the horse before in races and knows what he is all about and last time out he had gone to the front, so in the race in question he had instructed Jockey Leigh Roche to take a decent jump, sit in a decent position and to do his best.  Jockey Leigh Roche confirmed the instructions.

The video recording of Race No.117 (1400 metres) was viewed. Thereafter the video recording of Race No.117 as also the horse previous run i.e. Race No.20 (1600 metres) run during the current Mumbai Meeting 2019/20 were viewed side by side.

Having viewed both the races, it was pointed out to Jockey Leigh Roche that whilst he had made the running in Race No.20, however, in the race in question, he had not shown the urgency to take a better position, to which he stated that his instructions were to sit in 2nd/3rd position and accordingly he wanted to be closer but as soon as he jumped out, he got squeezed and the horse on the outside cut across him and went on to the rails and the other horses were faster.

Thereafter, it was pointed out to Jockey Leigh Roche that between the 1000 and 800 metres he had an opportunity to improve his position which he failed to do. Jockey Leigh Roche stated that he had a horse on his outside and if he had done so, he would have had to use his horse up, and considering that he was riding top weight he settled him there in the best interest of the horse.

When asked for his observation of the race, Trainer P. Shroff said one should take into consideration TASAWWUR’S form post beating VALEGRO in the previous start and added that before the race in question Jockey Leigh Roche had worked the horse and gave him the feedback that the horse was in brilliant form, meaning he was better than what he was when he last ran. He said that going by this form and going by Jockey Leigh Roche’s body language in this race and also the rumours before the race, he felt that it was ridiculous. When specifically asked what he meant by “rumours before the race”, Trainer P. Shroff said that he was told that VALEGRO is being eaten and was not in the race. He said had he known this before he would have informed the Stipes about it but he had already gone up to the stands for the race and since the horses had already reached the gates, he could only wait and watch the race. Trainer P. Shroff was asked to limit his submissions to the Jockey’s riding in this race and where he took exception and he responded by saying that his riding from the start and throughout the race is a show that he is making an effort and also coming into the straight he had the opportunity to come from the outside. He added that when a Jockey is sitting behind he has a full view of the horses in front and when he elected to go in surely he was aware that there was no room to come from there, so his best option was to come from the outside.

The video recording of the race was viewed again and it was pointed out to Jockey Leigh Roche that the Stipes feel that he was lacking in his effort to sit in a better position, it was further pointed out to him that though he might have been squeezed at the start, however, between the 1000 and 800 metres he had ample time to improve his position which he failed to do. Thereafter, negotiating the final bend, when he was aware that there were lot of horses in front of him, he should have come from the outside so as to give the horse a clear run but he elected to go in. Jockey Leigh Roche was asked to take the Stipes through the race once again.

Jockey Leigh Roche said that he jumped out well and immediately was squeezed for room so he could not get a position. At this point it was pointed out to Jockey Leigh Roche that he could have held his position. The video recording of Race No.20 was viewed to compare the Jockey’s effort in that race.  

Jockey Leigh Roche said that thereafter coming into the straight, he had made his run and he had a clear run in front of him but RAINBOW TROUT shifted in and went across him and then KARIEGA also shifted in and went across him and then RAINBOW TROUT shifted out again causing a chain reaction when KARIEGA shifted out as a result he had to check his mount and shift out. When asked how the horse had worked and whether this was the best performance of the horse, Jockey Leigh Roche said that the horse had worked well and considering the position he was in, this was the horse’s best performance. He added that he was conceding 11½ kg to the winner and 12½ kg to the second placed horse, RAINBOW TROUT and keeping all these things in mind, this was the horse’s best performance. 

At this stage, it was pointed out to Jockey Leigh Roche that irrespective of the weight that he was conceding to the other runners, his efforts should be there, to which he stated that he has used the whip and pushed the horse and what more could he have done.

The video recording of Race No.106 – NICOLLINI ridden by Jockey Leigh Roche, who finished second, half a length behind the winner, was viewed to compare the Jockey’s riding efforts especially at the finish and it was pointed out to Jockey Leigh Roche that in this race his contact with the horse is clearly visible and his riding effort was much more vigorous as compared to his contact and vigour in the race in question.  Jockey Leigh Roche said that the Stipes may view the race whatever way they wish however, he was sure that he has not stopped this horse. Jockey Leigh Roche was informed that the Stipes were giving him full opportunity to explain his riding and he is free to make his submission and explain his riding.

Thereafter the video recording of all angles of the race was viewed and it was pointed out to Jockey Leigh Roche on the head on view that entering the straight he was just behind RAINBOW TROUT and thereafter he has taken reasonable amount of time before he finally shifts out and then he keeps travelling behind KARIEGA for a lot longer then he should have. Jockey Leigh Roche reiterated that he was behind RAINBOW TROUT and there was reasonable gap and he was pushing his horse to get through the gap and by the time his horse got into stride, KARIEGA shifted in and went across him and that very moment he has shifted out again and switched the whip hand to the right hand and did his best and what more could he have done.

Trainer P. Shroff was asked again to summarize/conclude his objections to the Jockey’s riding, to which he said that his objection was to the entire race and the Jockey’s body language throughout the race. When asked to be more specific, Trainer P.Shroff said that Jockey Leigh Roche jumped out and got the horse to relax and then made a show. He said that Jockey Leigh Roche was working the horse and has ridden him before, this horse comes into stride very easily and requested to see his previous races. He said that Jockey Leigh Roche has then gone into the backside of a horse and pulled him up and coming into the straight he has the best view of the horses in front and he should have come out and given the horse a clear run.

Jockey Leigh Roche requested to see the video recording of the head on view once again. He explained that the horse was coming on from behind but was not quick enough to take the first gap and that is the reason he switched him to the outside so as to give him a clear run but immediately there was a chain reaction because of  RAINBOW TROUT coming out on to KARIEGA who in turn came on to him and he has still gone further out.  When again asked whether this was the best run of the horse, Jockey Leigh Roche reiterated that under these conditions, it was the best run.

The video recording of Race No.17 (1400 metres) run during the Pune Meeting 2019 where VALEGRO was ridden by Jockey Akshay Kumar and finished second was viewed.  It was pointed out to Jockey Leigh Roche that in this race the horse went to the front without much of an effort, to which he stated that if you see the race, nobody wanted to go to the front and hence Jockey Akshay Kumar has gone to the front, However, in the race in question there were quite a few fast horses, STAR APPEARANCE being one of them, who wanted to go to the front so the pace was faster and considering this, he felt that the ideal thing would be to jump and sit in 3rd/4th position and come out and win his race but soon after the start the horse on his outside shuffled and came across him due to which he had to suffer.

Thereafter the video recording of Race No.225 (1400 metres) run on 2nd March, 2019 at HRC where Jockey Leigh Roche won on VALEGRO, was viewed and it was pointed out to Jockey Leigh Roche that despite being drawn on the outside he was able to get into a well up position indicating that the horse has the initial speed. Jockey Leigh Roche stated that he was drawn on the outside in this race and hence he was able to get there but if was drawn on the inside there was all possibility he could have been tightened for room. He added that in the race in question his horse was not quick into his stride to get into a position.

Thereafter the video recording of Race No.110 (1400 meetres) run during the Mumbai Meeting 2018/19 where Jockey Leigh Roche won on VALEGRO, was viewed. It was observed that in this race MOZART made the running and VALEGRO was settled in 4th/ 5th position and won the race.  Jockey Leigh Roche said that in the race in question he has ridden the horse in the same way as he did in Race No.110 where all the horse in front stopped and he won that race.

Having heard the submissions made and viewing the video recording of the race in question as also the previous races of VALEGRO i.e. Race No.110 run during the Mumbai Meeting 2018/19, Race No.17 run during the Pune Meeting 2019, Race No.20 run during the current  Mumbai Meeting 2019/20, Race No.225 run on 2nd March, 2019 run at HRC as also Race No.116 where Jockey Leigh Roche rode NICOLLINI (Placed second) and scrutinizing the betting sheets as also the betting pattern across the country wherein it was observed that there was a marginal drift in the odds on this horse from 5/4 to maximum 2/1 at some centres, the Stipendiary Stewards were not satisfied with the explanation tendered by Jockey Leigh Roche and reported him to the Stewards for unsatisfactory riding. The reason being, his instructions were to take a jump and sit in a nice position and he had ample opportunity to follow the instructions, however he failed to do so. Thereafter, between the 1000 and 800 metres he had the opportunity to improve his position  which he again failed to do so and lastly, negotiating the final bend, when he was aware that there were lot of horses in front of him, he should have come from the outside so as to give the horse a clear run but he elected to go in.

The Stewards of the Club at their meeting held on Sunday, 16th February, 2020 interviewed Trainer P.Shroff and Jockey Leigh Roche in the above connection. The Stewards having considered all papers, documents and proceedings including Jockey Leigh Roche’s written submissions dated 8th February, 2020 and heard the submissions made by Jockey Leigh Roche and Trainer P. Shroff and viewed the video of the race in question (all angles – in normal as well as slow motion). The Stewards also viewed the video recording of the previous race of VALEGRO i.e. Race No. 20. (1600 metres) run during the current Mumbai Meeting where Jockey Leigh Roche went to the front and placed second, 2 lengths behind TASAWWUR as also Race No.225 (1400 metres) run at HRC on 2nd March, 2019 where Jockey Leigh Roche was drawn on the outside and yet managed to get a forward position and won the race. The Stewards also viewed the video recording of Race No.66 run on 2nd January, 2020 where Jockey Leigh Roche rode NICOLLINI and noted that in this race he managed to take the gap that opened along the rails in the straight within a split second and  won the race as also the video recording of Race No.106 where he rode NICOLLINI and finished second, half a length behind and noted that in this race his contact with the horse was clearly visible and his riding effort was much more vigorous as compared to his contact and vigor on VALEGRO in Race No.117. The Stewards also noted that Trainer P.Shroff had expressed his dissatisfaction with the riding and there was a drift in the odds of VALEGRO. The Stewards having heard Jockey Leigh Roche and Trainer P.Shroff and having viewed the above said races and having deliberated the matter at length, were not satisfied with the explanation tendered by Jockey Leigh Roche. However, they decided to give him the benefit of the doubt for the charge of “not permitting his mount to run on its merits” and held him guilty of “unsatisfactory riding” on VALEGRO in Race No.117. In that, his instructions in this race were to take a jump and sit in a good position and he had ample opportunity to follow the instructions, however, he failed to do so. Thereafter, between the 1000 and 800 metres he had the opportunity to improve his position which he again failed to do and negotiating the final bend he was aware that there was a wall of hoses ahead of him and should have made his move from the outside so as to give the horse a clear run but he elected to go in and thereafter pulled the horse out far too late and was not vigorous in his riding effort. Therefore, the Stewards decided to suspend his Jockey’s licence for 12 Race Days i.e. from 5th March, 2020 to 12th April, 2020 (both days inclusive) (permitted to ride work/mock race).

RE: ENQUIRY INTO THE RUNNING AND RIDING OF “NOBLE HEIR” (A.SANDESH, DR.4) IN RACE NO.115 – THE GATEWAY OF INDIA MILLION (1600 METRES) RUN ON 1ST FEBRUARY, 2020 :

Trainer Vishal Gaikwad and Jockey A.Sandesh were questioned on 6th February, 2020 in the above connection. Trainer Vishal Gaikwad said that in its first run during the current Mumbai Meeting NOBLE HEIR won a race over 1400 metres with Jockey Colm O’Donoghue and after this race they felt that the horse does not have initial speed and he needs more ground. He said that in the race in question the horse was running over a mile and he had told Jockey A.Sandesh to sit last or second last or wherever he could sit comfortably, to start moving on him slowly from the 5 furlongs as he does not have a quick generation of speed since he is a long striding horse and takes time to come on.

Jockey A.Sandesh confirmed the instructions and stated that soon after the start he received interference.

The video recording of Race No.115 was viewed. Jockey A.Sandesh pointed out that at the start LION KING (Y.S.Srinath) jumped and went across him whereby he had to steady his mount. Thereafter, 100 metres after the start, CONSCIENCE (Shrikant Kamble) shifted in due to which he had to check his mount. At this stage, it was pointed out to Jockey A.Sandesh that whilst he did receive initial interference, however, his instructions were to sit behind and hence these interferences cannot be given much credence. It was further pointed out to Jockey A.Sandesh that in the straight he had committed to come from the outside and he should have continued to do so. Jockey A.Sandesh  admitted that he was committed to come from the outside however, IT’S A DEAL (Amyn Merchant) shifted out and took his ground causing him to check his mount, after which there was no further room for him to take. It was pointed out to Jockey A.Sandesh that subsequent to him shifting in, there was sufficient gap which he could have taken but instead of taking the gap he continued to shift in. Jockey A.Sandesh stated that once he checked his mount and shifted in, he took time to get going and in the mean time the gap that was opened for him, closed. He reiterated that he received interference in the straight because of the inside horse moving outwards and due to this interference the horse lost his stride.

The video recording of the back view was viewed. It was pointed out to Jockey A.Sandesh that subsequent to the interference in the straight, he had a gap on the inside and like he said the gap closed, however, the gap was open  for nearly 8 strides which was reasonable time. Jockey A.Sandesh said that the gap was there however his horse was out of rhythm and did not quicken to take the gap. It was pointed out to Jockey A.Sandesh that rounding the final bend, he was alongside with the eventual winner, BAIT AND SWITCH who has managed to come wide out and gave his horse a clear run, however, he (A.Sandesh) was found wanting in his efforts to give the horse a clear run and instead elected to come in and not take the first gap available to him, to which Jockey A.Sandesh stated that if the horses in front, especially ITS  A DEAL (Amyn Merchant), had not shifted out, he would have had a clear passage.

Trainer Vishal Gaikwad stated that NOBLE HEIR is a 16 plus hands big horse and requires lot of galloping room and also he has been operated in Pune for tie forward. On being asked about the pattern of running of this horse, he stated that in Race No.58 run during the Pune Meeting 2019 when ridden by Jockey Kishore Kadam, the horse has taken time to come on and finished on to place second. In the next race i.e. Race No.45 during the current Mumbai Meeting with Jockey Colm O’Donoghue he has run likewise, been off the pace and come from the back to win the race and in the race in question also he has run in a similar way. It was however pointed out that while the pattern seems to be the same, the effort to give the horse a free run from the outside was not there like Jockey Colm O’Donoghue did.

The video recording of the three races of NOBLE HEIR i.e. Race No.58 run during the Pune Meeting 2019 and Race Nos.45 & 115  run during the current Mumbai Meeting 2019/20 were viewed and Trainer Vishal Gaikwad was asked for his observation of the Jockey’s riding in Race No.115. Trainer Vishal Gaikwad reiterated that NOBLE HEIR is a 16+ Hands big horse and needs lot of leg room to gallop and also he has been operated in Pune for tie forward hence he needs a smooth ride without any checks, therefore, he would like to give Jockey A.Sandesh the benefit of the doubt, especially considering the interferences he received in this race. To a specific question, he stated that everyone aspires to win a race on a big day and if not for the interference, the horse would have won this race and immediately after the running of the race he had complained to the Stipes with regard to the interferences received by his charge in this race. He said that if you see the last 1 furlong, due to lack of room NOBLE HEIR is running into the front horses.

Having heard the submissions made and viewing the video recording of the race in question as also the horse’s two previous winning races i.e. Race Nos.58 run during the Pune Meeting 2019 as also Race No.45 run during the current Mumbai Meeting 2019/20 and scrutinizing the betting sheets as also the betting pattern across the country wherein it was observed that there was a marginal drift in the odds on this horse from 9/4 to maximum 3/1 at places, the Stipendiary Stewards were not satisfied with the explanation tendered by Jockey A.Sandesh, however,  keeping all circumstances of the race in mind, they reported him only for “unsatisfactory riding” instead of “not permitting his mount to run on its merits”.

The Stewards of the Club at their meeting held on Sunday, 16th February, 2020 interviewed Trainer Vishal Gaiakwad and Jockey A.Sandesh in the above connection and having heard them and having viewed the video of the race in question (all angles – in normal as well as slow motion) as also the previous race of NOBLE HEIR i.e. Race No.45 (1400 Metres – Colm O’Donoghue – winner), the Stewards were not satisfied with the explanation tendered by Jockey A.Sandesh. However, the Stewards decided to give him the benefit of the doubt for the charge of “not permitting his mount to run on its merits” and held him guilty of “unsatisfactory riding” on NOBLE HEIR in Race No.115. In that, although he did receive two interferences soon after the start, however, his instructions were to sit behind and hence these interferences cannot be given much credence. The Stewards took exception to his riding in the straight wherein, on entering the straight he had committed to come from the outside and he should have continued to do so, however, he chose to shift in. Further, having shifted in, there was sufficient gap open for nearly 8 strides approaching the 300 metres and then another gap appeared near 200 metres which he could have taken but instead of taking these gaps he continued to shift in thereby depriving the horse a clear run and the interference to his horse in the final stages of the race was the outcome of his decision to shift in. Further, his riding efforts in the straight were found wanting. The Stewards noted that there was a drift in the odds (Win/Place) of NOBLE HEIR in Race No.115. Therefore, the Stewards decided to suspend his Jockey’s licence for 12 Race Days i.e. from 5th March, 2020 to 12th April, 2020 (both days inclusive) (permitted to ride work/mock race).

When Trainer Vishal Gaikwad was specifically asked during the Stewards Meeting whether he was satisfied with the Jockey’s riding, he initially tried to evade the question by giving a vague reply and then agreed that the Jockey could have been more aggressive to take the gaps. The Stewards having deliberated the matter were also not satisfied with the explanation tendered by him and held the view that the Jockey would not have ridden in this manner unless he had the Trainer’s tacit approval. Therefore, the Stewards decided to fine him a sum of Rs.1,00,000/-.