The Appeals Body (Division Two), Edward Flannery (in the Chair), M.J. Doyle and Sean Barry, met at the Stewards Room, The Curragh racecourse, Co. Kildare on Sunday, 28th September, 2014, to consider an appeal from Colm O’Donoghue, rider, against the severity of the penalty imposed by the Stewards at the Curragh on 14th September, 2014.  On that date the Stewards found the rider to be in breach of Rule 211 in that he had moved across before reaching the marker poles on Jamsie during the running of the Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes.  As a result was he was suspended for one race day.

The rider’s grounds of appeal were that he believed that the marker poles were in the wrong place and that the suspension was disproportionate.

Evidence was heard from Colm O’Donoghue and film of the race was also viewed. 

In his evidence Colm O’Donoghue accepted that while he was in breach of the rule his manoeuvre caused no interference when he crossed over.  He also highlighted his excellent record which showed that he had not breached Rule 211 in the relevant period.

Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body reduced the penalty imposed to a severe caution.

The case was presented by Denis Egan, Chief Executive of the Turf Club.