The Appeals Body (Division Two), Sean Barry, (in the chair), Peter N. Reynolds and Laurence McFerran convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) on Thursday, 23^rd May 2019 to consider the Appeal of Ms. Lisa O’Neill (Rider) against the decision of the Stewards at Punchestown on 2^nd May 2019.

On the day, following the running of the Kildare Post (C&G) INH Flat Race, the Stewards interviewed Ms. O’Neill, rider of Fury Road, concerning her use of his whip in the closing stages of this race. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered her evidence, the Stewards determined that Ms. O’Neill was in breach of Regulation 10.3(g) in that she had used her whip with excessive frequency. Having taken her previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended Ms. O’Neill for three race days.

The grounds of Appeal lodged by Ms. O’Neill was that the penalty imposed was excessive, given her previous disciplinary record.

The Appeal Panel viewed footage of the race and heard evidence from Ms. O’Neill who submitted that the Stewards on the day had imposed 3 days when her previous sanction was only 1 day and, in the circumstances, felt that the trebling of the previous suspension was excessive.

Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body found that the Stewards were entitled to impose such sanction as they deemed appropriate in relation to a breach and they dismissed the appeal of Ms. O’Neill. Submissions were made by Andrew Coonan, representing Ms. O’Neill regarding the deposit and it was ordered that €250 be forfeit.

Ms. O’Neill was represented by Andrew Coonan of Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas Town Centre, Naas, Co. Kildare.

The case was presented by Cliodhna Guy, Head of Legal, Licensing & Compliance.

Suspension Dates: 24^th, 27^th and 28^th May