New Zealand

Jockey Sam Weatherley found guilty of reckless riding in fatal incident

22:10 pm on 27 September 2022

Jockey Sam Weatherley on Sweet Molly Malone at Ellerslie Race Course, Auckland on 11 July, 2020. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport

Racing authorities have suspended a jockey for causing events that led to the death of another rider.

The Adjudicative Committee of the Racing Integrity Board found Sam Weatherley guilty of reckless riding in a race at Cambridge on 3 August.

The board has now decided to suspend his licence to ride for nine weeks.

It said Weatherley's actions initiated a series of events that led to the fall, and subsequent death, of jockey Taiki Yanagida.

Weatherly had defended the charge of reckless riding.

The committee said it would soon issue a detailed written decision.

Taiki Yanagida riding Bellatrix Black at Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland, on 5 March, 2022. Photo: Alan Lee / Photosport