The Appeals Body, Ms. Susan Ahern (Chairperson), Mr. Finbar Cahill and Mr. Anthony Byrne convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Friday 15th December 2023 to consider the appeal of D.P. McDonogh (Rider) following the decision of the Raceday Stewards at Dundalk on Friday 8th December 2023.
Following the running of the Dundalk Stadium Gift Vouchers Maiden, the Raceday Stewards found Mr. McDonogh, rider of Dawn Rider, in breach of Regulation 10.3(g) in that he had used his whip with excessive frequency and having considered his record in this regard they suspended him for eight racedays.
The grounds of appeal lodged by Mr. McDonogh was that the Stewards on the day erred in their decision.
At the Appeal Hearing, evidence was heard from Mr. McDonogh. The Appeals Body also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr. McDonogh explained how he used his whip one strike over the limit for corrective purposes. He explained there was adverse weather conditions on the night and Dundalk is an open and wide track. He added that he used his whip to keep his mount in a straight position as she was an inexperienced filly and it was only her second time out. Mr. McDonagh stated that his mount ran green and the windy conditions caused her to become unbalanced in the closing stages.
Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body were satisfied that Mr. McDonogh had used at least one strike of the whip to correct his mount and found the appeal was upheld.
The appeal was presented by Mr. Andrew Coonan, Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, County Kildare on behalf of Mr. McDonogh. The IHRB was represented by Ms. Clíodhna Guy, IHRB Head of Licensing Legal and Compliance.