The Appeals Body (Division One), Justice Nial Fennelly (in the chair), Mr. N.B. Wachman and Mr. Laurence McFerran convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), The Curragh, Co. Kildare on 6^th July 2020 to consider the Appeals of Denis Hogan (Trainer), Genesis Thoroughbreds Club (Owner) and Alan Glynn (Rider) against the decision of the Stewards at The Curragh on 26^th June 2020.

On the day following the running of the Extra.ie Apprentice Derby, the Stewards held an enquiry into the running and riding of Narynkol (GB), trained by Denis Hogan and ridden by Alan Glynn. Having heard evidence from Phil Heenan, Mr. Hogan’s Authorised Representative on the day and Mr. Glynn, the Stewards found both Mr. Hogan and Mr. Glynn in breach of Rule 212A(ii) in that they contributed to the running and riding of Narynkol (GB) in such a way that the horse wasn’t seen to have been the subject of a genuine attempt to obtain from the horse timely, real and substantial efforts to achieve the best possible place. Having considered their records, they fined Mr. Hogan €3,000, suspended Mr. Glynn for 12 racedays and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee. They also suspended Narynkol (GB) from running or 50 days.

The grounds of the appeal lodged by Mr. Hogan and Genesis Thoroughbreds was that Mr. Hogan instructed the rider to use his best endeavours and to obtain the best possible place including winning the race if at all possible. The grounds of appeal lodged by Mr. Glynn was that at all times he sought to obtain the best possible position including winning the race if possible.  

Evidence was heard from Mr. Hogan, Mr. Glynn, Dr. Jennifer Pugh (IHRB Senior Medical Officer), and Mr. Warren O’Connor (Jockey Coach). The Appeals Body also watched a recording of the race in question and two other races in which Mr. Glynn had ridden.

In his evidence, Mr. Glynn stated that he had ridden Narynkol (GB) at home in Mr. Hogan’s training base but it was his first time to ride him in a race. He confirmed he had received his instructions from Mr. Hogan by phone prior to the race. His instructions were to ride Narynkol (GB) as handy as he could and to get the horse travelling. He stated that he would have preferred to have been slightly more prominent early in the race but was hopeful that the as the field were going a good pace they would come back to him. He added that when he went to gather his reins and switch his whip in the latter stages of the race his whip had momentarily got caught in Narynkol’s(GB) mane. Mr. Glynn also gave details of a medical condition for which he is working closely with Dr. Pugh and he also explained how he had employed Warren O’Connor as his jockey coach to increase his riding strength but was unable to attend sessions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In his evidence, Mr. Hogan described Mr. Glynn as a very enthusiastic worker who had been working with him for four years. Mr. Hogan detailed how he had intended his other apprentice, Joey Sheridan, to ride Narynkol (GB) but he then allowed Mr. Sheridan to ride for a different trainer in the race and felt that Mr. Glynn deserved his chance to ride Narynkol (GB) on this occasion. He stated that Mr. Glynn lacks the experience and the strength of some of the other apprentices who rode in this race and this is mainly down to a lack of regular race riding experience. Following a disappointing run at Fairyhouse the previous week Mr. Hogan admitted that he would have been happy with a respectable run from Narynkol (GB) at The Curragh. He stated that the price of his horses in the betting are irrelevant and that in his opinion he was being fined €3,000 for giving Mr. Glynn an opportunity in an apprentice race.

Mr. O’Connor outlined his work with Mr. Glynn and how he had obtained a full-time job for him with Mr. Hogan and some part-time work with Jessica Harrington last year. He added that, in his opinion, Mr. Glynn’s fitness had suffered as a result of Covid-19 and the restrictions in place which prevented Mr. Glynn from working with him since last December.

Dr. Jennifer Pugh explained details of a medical condition Mr. Glynn has and the progress that is being made in this regard. She confirmed that this condition did not impact on his ability to hold a jockey’s licence.

Having considered the evidence the Appeals Body stated that they could not find fault with the decision of the Stewards on the day as they were also of the opinion that a breach of Rule 212 had occurred and dismissed the appeal.  Having considered the medical evidence presented in relation to Mr Glynn, which was unavailable to the Stewards on the day, the panel reduced his sanction from 12 to eight racedays. They confirmed the sanctions imposed on Mr Hogan of €3,000 and Narynkol (GB) of 50 days and ordered that Mr. Hogan forfeit his deposit.

The case was presented by Liam Walsh, Stewards Secretary and Cliodhna Guy, Head of Licensing, Legal, & Compliance. Mr. Hogan, Genesis Thoroughbreds Club and Mr. Glynn were represented by Andrew Coonan of Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, Co Kildare.

Alan Glynn suspension Dates: 10^th, 11^th, 12^th, 13^th, 15^th, 16^th, 17^th and 18^th July 2020.