The Appeals Body, Mr Peter Law (Chairperson), Mr John Murphy and Mr Anthony Byrne convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Tuesday, 19 March 2024 to consider the appeal of Philip Byrnes (Rider) against the decision of the Raceday Stewards at Navan on Saturday, 2 March 2024.

Following the running of the Boylesports Extra Places Handicap Hurdle, the Raceday Stewards found Mr Burns, rider of Aodhan May, in breach of Rule 214, in that he had ridden carelessly and having considered his record in this regard they suspended him for four racedays.

The grounds of appeal lodged by Mr Byrnes was that the Stewards on the day erred in their decision. 

At the Appeal Hearing, evidence was heard from Mr Byrnes and Shane Fenelon, rider of Carrig Carol in the same race. The Appeals Body also watched a recording of the race.

In his evidence, Mr Byrnes stated that he retained his racing line three off the rail while rounding the bend and Mr Fenelon, who was on his inside, tried to go for a gap that, in his opinion, wasn’t there. Mr Byrnes also clarified his evidence on the day as meaning he was attempting to stay on the inside of Chosen Diamond, ridden by Sean O’Keeffe, rather than that he was riding to get on his inside.

In his evidence Mr Fenelon explained that he was riding two off the rail and the horse on his inside had clipped the railing right on the point of the bend. Mr Fenelon stated that he felt pressure from Mr Byrnes on is outside but this was most probably due to the fact they were rounding the bend at the time and he gave a precautionary shout but felt any interference was minimal in nature.

Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body allowed the appeal.

The appeal was presented by Mr Andrew Coonan of Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, County Kildare, on behalf of Mr Byrnes. The IHRB was represented by Mr Andrew Ring, IHRB Stipendiary Steward and Ms Clíodhna Guy, Head of Licensing, Legal and Compliance.