The Referrals Committee, Mr. Edward Flannery (in the Chair), Mr. P.J.A. O’Connor and Mrs. J.O. Onions, met at the Turf Club Offices, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, on Tuesday, 21st October, 2008, to consider a referral from the Registrar of the INHS Committee following the withdrawal of the animal “Cornfield Road” from the Blackstairs Maiden Hurdle race at Wexford on 29th August, 2008, as the Veterinary Officer on duty was unable to positively identify the animal from the passport documentation presented.  Evidence was heard from Conor O’Dwyer, Trainer, and S.W.D. McIlveen, Turf Club Veterinary Officer, together with a report from Weatherbys Ireland Laboratory.

Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee was satisfied that genuine confusion had arisen and the animal which was entered to run at Wexford was not “Cornfield Road”, but was in fact “Noirgem”.  The Committee was further satisfied that the animal ran at Kilbeggan on 22nd August, 2008, as “Cornfield Road” but was in fact “Noirgem”.  The Committee fined Mr. O’Dwyer €300 and ordered that the records should be amended to the effect that “Noirgem” and not “Cornfield Road” ran at Kilbeggan, 22nd August, 2008, in the Donlon Development Ltd. Maiden Hurdle Race

The case was presented to the Committee by Mr. Conal Boyce of Wilkinson and Price Solicitors, Naas, Co. Kildare.