Rising jockey Lachlan Neindorf will miss next Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup meeting at Flemington after receiving a 10-meeting suspension for careless riding during the Caulfield Cup.
The 24-year-old was handed the penalty by Racing Victoria stewards following an incident involving his mount Starford and Ohope Wins near the 2100-metre mark of the Group 1 staying feature.
The Caulfield Cup was overshadowed by the tragic death of Ohope Wins, with stewards subsequently reviewing Neindorf’s riding during the race.
According to the stewards’ report, Neindorf pleaded guilty to careless riding after his mount shifted into the running of Ohope Wins when insufficiently clear.
“Rider Lachlan Neindorf pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding … in that near the 2100m he permitted his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of Ohope Wins, which was tightened for room and lost its rightful running.
“L Neindorf had his licence to ride in races suspended for a total of 10 race meetings, with the period to commence on Sunday 1 November 2026 and to expire on Monday 9 November 2026.”
The suspension will begin on November 1 and run through to November 9, ruling Neindorf out of Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday, November 3.
It is a significant setback for the emerging rider, who will be sidelined during one of the most important weeks of the Australian racing calendar.
The penalty also prevents Neindorf from accepting rides across several major Melbourne Spring Carnival meetings during the suspension period.
While the careless riding charge related to interference suffered by Ohope Wins, the stewards’ findings quoted in the report did not establish that Neindorf’s actions caused the horse’s death.
