The Referrals Committee, Judge Tony Hunt (in the Chair), John Moloney and Paul Ronan met at the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare on Thursday, 28th August 2014 to consider the referral of Francis Flood, trainer, by Denis Egan, Chief Executive of the Turf Club following a random stable inspection carried out at his Training Establishment on 9th July 2014 by Turf Club Officials, Christopher Gordon and Michael King.  During the inspection the officials discovered that ten horses namely Buachaill Maith, Cill Tseadhna, Cloonacool, In Great Form, Lascalahall, Peace In The West, Pencilled In, Rose’s Emma, Shelleys Creek and The Last Hour were no longer under his care and should have been returned out of training.

Evidence was heard from Francis Flood Junior representing the trainer. The Committee also noted the report furnished by Christopher Gordon and Michael King.

In his evidence Francis Flood Junior stated that this was just an oversight on the trainer’s part and nothing else.

Having considered the evidence, the Committee found that Francis Flood was in breach of Rule 148(vi) for failing to notify the Registry Office when the horses listed above had left his yard. They did, however, give the benefit of the doubt in the case of seven of the horses, but fined the trainer €130 in each case (total €390) for Buachaill Maith, Rose’s Emma and Shellys Creek in respect of the Rule breach.

The case was presented by Conal Boyce, Solicitor, Naas, Co. Kildare.