S.F. O’Keeffe (Rider) – Appeal - Killarney 15th July 2019

The Appeals Body, (Division Two), Mr. Donal H. Gavin, (in the chair), Mr. Tom McDonogh and Mr. P.J.A. O’Connor met in the Stewards Room at Galway Racecourse on Monday, 29th July 2019 to consider the appeal of Mr. Sean O’Keeffe (Rider) against the decision of the Stewards at Killarney on 15th July 2019.

On the day, following the running of the Killarney Avenue Hotel Handicap Steeplechase, the Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr. P.L. Malone, that Mr. O’Keeffe had weighed in at 1.4lbs overweight and as a result the Stewards found Mr. O’Keeffe in breach of Rule 231 and suspended him for two racedays.

The appeal was against the severity of the suspension.

Evidence was heard from Paul Murtagh (IHRB Head of Raceday Operations) and Mr. O’Keeffe.

Mr. Murtagh confirmed the amount of overweight was 1.2lb and not 1.4lbs as was communicated to the Acting Stewards on the evening, and he explained the reason for this discrepancy.

In his evidence, Mr. O’Keeffe accepted that he had rehydrated after weighing out and added that sweat from his mount on the non-slip pad used, as well as the weather conditions on the evening, attributed to him weighing in above the threshold.

Having considered the submissions the Appeals Body reduced the suspension to one raceday and also ordered that Mr. O’Keeffe’s deposit be returned.

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

The case was presented by Cliodhna Guy, Solicitor, Head of Licensing, Legal and Compliance and Liam Walsh, Stewards Secretary.