The Referrals Committee, Mr. Laurence McFerran (Chairman), Mr. John Murphy and Dr. Paddy Molony convened in the Stewards Room, The Curragh Racecourse on Tuesday 6th June 2023, to consider whether Mr. Pat O’Rourke (Trainer) was in breach of any rules of racing arising from a Stable Inspection carried out at his Training Establishment on 3rd February 2022 by IHRB officials.
On the day, the inspection team noted that the Veterinary Medicines Register was not presented for inspection as required by Rule 148 (iii) (b), that three riders, Mr. Pat O’Rourke, Mr. Jimmy O’Rourke and Mr. Stephen O’Connor were riding without Back Protectors contrary to the requirements of Rule 148 (v)(b), three horses; Minister for Magic, Sanctuary Place and Tenroundqueen were not on the licensed premises and had not been returned out of training as required under Rule 148 (vi) and that the passports for four horses, Tellthemi’mhere, Humtaza, Assassins Lullaby and an unnamed Cotai Glory x Qualia colt were not present as required by Regulation 8.
At the hearing, the Referrals Committee heard evidence from Mr. Pat O’Rourke.
Mr. O’Rourke stated that his wife maintains his Veterinary Medicines Register and at the time of the inspection she was not on the premises, and he was not aware of the location of his Veterinary Medicines Register.
Mr. O’Rourke accepted that he was in breach of Rule 148 (v)(b) in that he and his son, Mr. Jimmy O’Rourke were riding out without back protectors at the time of the inspection. He stated that Mr. Stephen O’Connor was not a stable employee and was on the premises to exercise his own horse on Mr. O’ Rourke’s gallops.
Mr. O’Rourke accepted that he was in breach of Rule 148 (vi) in that he had failed to return Minister for Magic, Sanctuary Place and Tenroundqueen out of training having recently sold the three horses.
Regarding the presentation of passports, Mr. O’Rourke stated that the passports of Tellthemi’mhere and Assassins Lullaby were in his Jeep which at the time were off the premises with his wife. The passports for Humtaza and the unnamed Cotai Glory x Qualia colt were at Tally Ho Stud. Mr. O’Rourke presented correspondence from Tally Ho Stud confirming same.
Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee found Mr. O’Rourke in breach of Rule 148 (iii)(b) imposing a fine of €250, Rule 148 (v)(b) in respect of Mr. Pat O’Rourke and Mr. Jimmy O’Rourke imposing a fine of €400, Rule 148 (vi) in respect of all three horses not returned out of training imposing a fine of €390 and Regulation 8 in respect of the passports of Tellthem’imhere and Assassins Lullaby imposing a fine of €200.
The case was presented by Mr. Michael Daly, IHRB Regulatory Legal Advisor.
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