Senior jockey Trudy Thornton has been disqualified from riding for two months and ordered to attend a management course for assaulting apprentice rider Cory Parish.
Racing's Judicial Control Authority has upheld a misconduct charge against Thornton, resulting from an altercation after the Waikato Racing Club's meeting at Te Rapa on April 30.
Thornton denied the charge.
She had sought out Parish after the last race and an ensuing confrontation resulted in them ending up in the male jockeys' room, racecourse inspector John McKenzie said.
They were separated by officials and she was removed from the room, he said.
There was an allegation but no evidence to confirm a punch was thrown.
He said part of the conflict related to an allegation Parish had laid in on Thornton's mount during the last race.
"But the proper place for that to be determined is the judicial room," McKenzie said.
Questioned about a two-month penalty for an incident in which no punches were confirmed, he said: "I don't necessarily say a punch is the only means of physical assault...clutching, grabbing, gripping can just have the same effect.
"You can strangle someone to death just as easily as punching them to death."
Anger management courses were being used more often in the racing industry.
"A penalty is not always the best result and sometimes these courses by experts outside our industry can assist and make a better result for the future."
Thornton's penalty takes effect from after racing on Saturday. She also has to pay costs of about $1550.
