The Appeals Body (Division 2) Mr. N.B. Wachman (in the chair) Ms. Mary O’Connor and Mr. Joseph M. McGrath convened at Leopardstown Racecourse on 6th August 2020 to consider the Appeal of G.M. Ryan (Rider) against the decision of the Stewards at Leopardstown on 23th July 2020.
On the day, following the running of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, the Stewards suspended Mr. Ryan for three race days having found him in breach of Rule 214, in that he had ridden carelessly. The grounds of appeal lodged by Mr. Ryan was that he did not ride carelessly.
Evidence was heard from Mr. Ryan and Mr. Dave Keena (Jockeys Agent) and the Appeals Body also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr. Ryan outlined that his mount, Nicest (IRE), was making her debut and it was also her first time away from where she is trained by Donnacha O’Brien. He stated that she had always been upsides in her work at home and never asked to go through a gap before and that she was inexperienced due to this being her first race. Mr. Ryan added that Talacre (USA), ridden by Colin Keane, had moved across slightly to the inside when Nicest (IRE) was upsides Willow (IRE), ridden by Wayne Lordan, and that caused Nicest (IRE) to brush off Willow (IRE). Mr. Ryan stated that he immediately put both hands on the reins and did everything in his power to correct his mount.
In his evidence, Mr. Keena outlined his experience as a race reader and that in his opinion the slight interference occurred due to inexperience on the part of Nicest (IRE) and Mr. Ryan had acted as quickly as possible to correct his mount.
Having considered the evidence the Appeals Body concluded that the contact was accidental in nature and allowed the appeal. They also ordered that the deposit be returned.
The Appeals Body also considered the appeal of Mr. Ryan against the severity of the sanction imposed by the Stewards at Leopardstown on 23rd July 2020.
On the day, following the running of the TRM Kurasyn Handicap, the Stewards suspended Mr. Ryan for five racedays having found him in breach of Rule 214, in that he had ridden carelessly.
Evidence was heard from Mr. Ryan and the Appeals Body also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr. Ryan stated that he had no luck in running on Drumquina (IRE) and that each gap we went to go through in the closing stages of the race closed on him and forced him to make his way to the stand side to mount a challenge. He accepted that he had ridden carelessly but felt that due to his record in this regard that the offence did not warrant a suspension of five racedays.
Having considered the evidence the Appeals Body were satisfied that Mr. Ryan was in breach of Rule 214, in that he had ridden carelessly, but having taken his record into account following the earlier successful appeal, they reduced the sanction to four days.
The case was presented by Mr. Liam Walsh, Stipendiary Steward.
Suspension Date: 9th, 12th, 13th and 14th August