The Appeals Body, Mr Nick Wachman (Chairman), Mr John Murphy and Mr Jack Rearden convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Tuesday, 13 August to consider the appeal of Mr Eoin Walsh (Rider) against the decision of the Raceday Stewards at Wexford on Wednesday 24 July 2024.

On the day, following the running of the Visitwexford.ie Mares Maiden Hurdle, the Raceday Stewards found Mr Walsh, rider of Birmingham Alabama in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having considered his record in this regard they suspended him for two racedays.

The grounds of appeal lodged by Mr Walsh was that the Raceday Stewards on the day erred in their decision.

At the appeal hearing, evidence was heard from Mr Walsh. The Appeals Body also watched a recording of the race.

In his evidence, Mr Walsh stated he had a strong hold of his reins, and he could not pull his stick through as he was in close proximity to J W Kennedy approaching the line. Mr Walsh explained that his normal course of action when correcting his mount is pulling his strick through and he had no room on his inside to do this as it was a tight finish.

Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body dismissed the appeal and confirmed the suspension imposed by the Raceday Stewards.

The appeal was presented by Mr Andrew Coonan of Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, County Kildare on behalf of Mr Walsh. The IHRB was represented by Mr Andrew Ring, IHRB Stipendiary Steward and Ms Christine Traynor, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity.

Suspension Dates: 16, 18 August 2024