The Referrals Committee, Mr Nick Wachman (Chairman), Mr Anthony Byrne and Mr Peter Reynolds convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Tuesday, 16 July to consider a request by a Senior Racing Official to review the sanction imposed on T P Harney by the Raceday Stewards at Downpatrick on 16 June 2024.

Following the running of the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle, the Raceday Stewards found Mr Harney, rider of Talk in The Park, in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having considered his record in this regard they suspended him for three racedays.

The grounds of the request from the Senior Racing Official were that the sanction imposed was unduly lenient and the matter was referred under Rule 27(i).

At the referral hearing, evidence was heard from Mr Harney. The Referrals Committee also watched a recording of the race.

In his evidence, Mr Harney accepted that he was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had caused interference. Mr Harney stated that a momentary lapse in judgement when he used his whip caused a chain reaction as he rolled in slightly on an undulating track. Mr Harney explained that he felt he corrected his mount as quick as possible to avoid any further interference.

Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee confirmed the breach of Rule 214 in that Mr Harney had ridden carelessly and increased the sanction to seven racedays.

The case was presented by Mr Liam Walsh, IHRB Senior Stipendiary Steward and Ms Christine Traynor, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity. Mr Harney was represented by Mr Andrew Coonan of Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, County Kildare.

Suspension Dates: 7, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26 July