The Appeals Body (Division 2) Mr. N.B. Wachman (in the chair) Mr. John Weld and Mr. Julian Gaisford-St Lawrence convened at Punchestown Racecourse on Saturday, 13th November 2021 to consider the Appeal of Brian Hayes (Rider) against the decision of the Stewards at Naas on 6th November 2021.
On the day, following the running of the BetVictor Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle, the Stewards suspended Mr. Hayes, rider of Aldo The Apache, for one raceday having found him in breach of Regulation 10.3(c), in that he had used his whip unnecessarily. The grounds of appeal lodged by Mr. Hayes was that the Stewards had erred in their decision.
Evidence was heard from Mr. Hayes and the Appeals Body also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr. Hayes stated that the race was run at a very strong pace and he had sat in second behind the front runner Minx Tara, ridden by JJ Slevin. Mr. Hayes said that while he was happy with his position in the race, he felt that his horse was flat out going past the stands. He added that it is a stiff uphill finish in Naas and from the last hurdle to the winning line he was just concentrating on keeping the momentum up and keep his mount concentrating. He admitted that he wasn’t aware he was so far in front but felt it was very close to the line before the margin became a comfortable eight-lengths. Furthermore, Mr. Hayes added that his suspension was to be served on a busy Saturday afternoon when he expected to be engaged on a horse in a valuable race at Haydock.
Having considered the evidence the Appeals Body did not feel that the Stewards on the day erred in their decision and dismissed the appeal in its entirety.
The case was presented by Mr. Colman Sweeney, Stipendiary Steward.
Suspension Date: 20th November