The Appeals Body (Division Two), Peter M. Allen (in the chair), N.B. Wachman and P.J.A. O’Connor met at the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare on Wednesday, 29th October 2014 to consider the appeal of Gary Carroll, Rider against the decision of the Stewards at Navan on 8th October 2014.  The Stewards had held an enquiry following the running of the Meath Handicap and Gary Carroll was found in breach of Regulation 10 3(b) for the continued hitting of his horse after its chance of winning or being placed was clearly gone. As a result he was suspended for one race day.

The grounds of appeal lodged were that he did not continuously hit his horse after his chance of winning or being placed was clearly gone and the Stewards on the day erred in their decision to convict him of this offence.

Evidence was heard from Gary Carroll.  Film of the incident was also shown.

In his evidence Gary Carroll said that he had previously ridden the horse at Galway when he ran very keen. Blinkers were fitted today for the first time but the horse did not respond positively to the blinkers with the result that he didn’t give his all. He said he tried his best to get everything out of the horse and he felt the horse had plenty left. However the horse did not pick up and more or less pulled himself up. Gary Carroll accepted that the horse was not quickening as a result of the whip being used.

Having considered the evidence the Appeals Body found that Gary Carroll had continued to hit the horse on two occasions when he was clearly out of contention and that there were no exceptional circumstances to justify this. As a result they dismissed the appeal and ordered that the penalty originally imposed of one raceday stand (Friday 31st October). They also ordered that the appeal deposit be forfeited.

The case was presented by Conal Boyce, Solicitor, Naas, Co. Kildare. Gary Carroll was represented by Andrew Coonan, Coonan Cawley, Solicitors, Naas, Co. Kildare.