The Appeals Body (Division 2), Mr. N.B. Wachman (in the chair), Mr. Joseph M. McGrath and Mr. John Murphy convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), The Curragh, Co. Kildare on 3rd July 2020 to consider the Appeal of C.T. Keane (Rider) against the decision of the Stewards at Leopardstown on 21st June 2020.
On the day, following the running of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C&G) Maiden, the Stewards found Mr. Keane in breach of Rule 214, in that he had ridden carelessly and suspended him for two racedays. The grounds of the appeal lodged by Mr. Keane was that the Stewards erred in their decision on the day as he did not ride carelessly.
Evidence was heard from Mr. Keane and the Appeals Body also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr. Keane gave details of how the race developed and that he had followed Southern Cape and Wayne Lordan until the final two furlongs. Mr. Keane added that when his horse, Ides Of August (USA), quickened in the closing stages he initially drifted slightly right and when he corrected his mount he rolled in towards the inside a fraction. He accepted that Sassified, ridden by Ben Coen, did suffer some interference but that interference had come from contact at his rear end from Los Andes (USA) and Tom Madden. He added that Mr. Coen never had to stop riding as a result of Ides Of August, who he stated was going forward at all times, but Mr. Coen did have to check as a result of contact from Los Andes (USA) who drifted out. Mr. Keane concluded that, in his opinion, the interference was not as a result of careless riding on the behalf of any rider and it was instead a result of inexperienced and green two-year-olds all having their first racecourse start.
Having considered the evidence the Appeals Body could not find fault with the decision of the Stewards on the day as they were also of the opinion that Colin Keane was in breach of Rule 214 by riding carelessly. Having considered his record and submissions made in mitigation on behalf of Mr. Keane, they confirmed the decision of the Stewards on the day to impose a suspension of two racedays and ordered that his deposit forfeited.
The case was presented by Michael Daly, Stewards Secretary and Cliodhna Guy, Head of Legal, Licensing & Compliance. Mr. Keane was represented by Patrick Kennedy of Patrick J. O’Meara & Co. Solicitors, Liberty Square, Thurles, Co Tipperary.