Lloyd Brown dies

Press, 19 July 1988, Page 33

Lloyd Brown dies

PA Wellington There was a tragic twist to the annual meeting of the Racing Conference in Wellington on Saturday. One of the most widelydiscussed remits was one proposed by the Rotorua Racing Club. It related to riding offences and decisions reached by judicial committees. Delegates were reminded of recommendations of the Lloyd Brown Committee of Inquiry, which in 1985 investigated the present system of judicial control. About the time this discussion was taking place, Lloyd Brown QC was killed in a car accident in Auckland. Mr Brown, aged 61, was alone in a car which struck a power pole at Piha. He died after being flown to Auckland Hospital by helicopter. Saturday’s remit relating to the Lloyd Brown report was subsequently withdrawn, but not before

there was lengthy discussion on what has proved to be one of the most contentious issues in the rule book. It deals with jockeys’ offences and penalties and the differing decisions reached by judicial committees over similar offences. In proposing the remit, the Rotorua club hoped to provide separate penalties for separate offences. Speaking to the remit, Douglas Dillon of Rotorua said the present rule was a great source of condemnation from the public. “There was the case of a jockey being charged for foul riding and being fined,” Mr Dillon said. “Two races later another jockey was charged with careless riding and received a suspension. “Such decisions can only bring racing into disrepute.” After a number of delegates spoke against the remit it was resolved that a sub-committee be set up to consider the matter and that it present its findings at next year’s annual meeting.