The Appeals Body, Mr. N. B. Wachman (Chairman), Mr. Peter N. Reynolds and Mr. Anthony Byrne convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Tuesday, 5th December 2023 to consider the appeal of Mr. Harry Swan (Rider) against the decision of the Raceday Stewards at Fairyhouse on Friday, 24th November 2023.
On the day, following the running of the Fairyhouse P-To-P INH Flat Race, the Stewards found Mr. Swan, rider of D B Cooper, in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly. Having considered his record in this regard they suspended him for two racedays.
The grounds of appeal lodged by Mr. Swan was against the severity of the sanction imposed.
At the Appeal Hearing, evidence was heard from Mr. Swan and the committee also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr. Swan explained that his mount was rounding the bend naturally but that the two horses on his inside were slower to take the bend and stayed straighter for slightly longer. Mr. Swan accepted the breach of careless riding, however, he felt it was minor in nature.
Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body dismissed the appeal and confirmed the suspension of two racedays imposed by the Raceday Stewards at Fairyhouse.
The appeal was presented by Mr. Andrew Coonan of Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, County Kildare, on behalf of Mr. Swan. The IHRB was represented by Ms. Clíodhna Guy, Head of Licensing, Legal and Compliance and Mr. Andrew Ring, IHRB Stipendiary Steward.
Dates of suspension: 9th and 10th December