The Appeals Body (Division Two), Derek Pugh (in the Chair), P.J. O’Connor and Roy Craigie met at the Stewards Room, Galway Racecourse, Co Galway on Monday, 27th July 2015 to consider the appeal of Ms. Sarah O’Brien, qualified rider, against the decision of the Stewards at Tipperary on 19th July 2015, following the running of the Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Flat Race. On the day the Stewards found that she was in breach of Regulation 10 3(e) in that she had used her whip other than down the shoulder or on the hind quarters. As a result she was suspended for one race day.

Her grounds of appeal were that the one day ban was unjustified.

Evidence was heard from Ms. Sarah O’Brien. Film of the race was also viewed.

In her evidence Ms. Sarah O’Brien said that her use of the whip was in accordance with Regulation 10 but was of the opinion that her last hit was out of rhythm and may not have connected with the horse in the correct place as she had lost her balance.

Evidence was also heard from A.P. O’Brien, father of Sarah O’Brien and also trainer of her mount “Tesseract”. Mr. O’Brien stated that he felt that the rider had not done anything wrong and agreed with the evidence of his daughter.

Having considered the evidence and viewed the recordings of the race, the Appeals Body allowed the appeal.

The case was presented by Michael O’Donoghue, Stipendiary Steward.