The Referrals Committee, Mr. Laurence McFerran (in the chair), Mr. Anthony Byrne and Mr. Noel McCaffrey convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Thursday 13th October 2022 to consider two incidents in the closing stages of the Irish Cesarewitch at The Curragh on 25th September 2022.
On the day, following the running of the Irish Cesarewitch, the Stewards wished to enquire into two incidents in the closing stages of the race but as a number of riders were unavailable the matter was referred to the Referrals Committee for consideration.
Relating to the first incident, evidence was heard from S.T. McCullagh, rider of Ruling, C.J. MacRedmond, rider of Jerandme and submissions were considered by D. King, rider of Earl Of Tyrone and Rachael Blackmore, rider of Echoes In Rain. The committee also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr. MacRedmond stated that he sat handy throughout the race and he was asking his mount for an effort but only staying on at the one pace when he had to take a small check off heels having received pressure from both sides.
In his submission, Mr. King stated that he had been prominent throughout the race and when other horses came alongside him in the closing stages that he received a slight bump from his right which had no effect on the performance of his horse.
In her submission, Ms. Blackmore said that she was moving forward when she got sandwiched between runners with pressure mainly from her right.
In his evidence, Mr. McCullagh explained that he had an inside draw and was on the rail throughout the race. He said that his mount travelled very strongly throughout the race and into the straight and that when he made a move to go around tiring horses he was unaware that he had caused interference. Mr. McCullagh accepted on viewing a replay of the race that he had made a misjudgement by one stride.
Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee were satisfied that Mr. McCullagh was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly. Having considered his record in this regard, the Referrals Committee suspended Mr. McCullagh for two racedays.
The Referrals Committee reviewed a second incident in the closing stages involving Dylan Browne McMonagle, rider of Inuit, C.J. MacRedmond, rider of Jerandme, W.J. Lee, rider of French Claim, S.T. McCullagh, rider of Ruling, D. Tudhope, rider of Lot Of Joy and P.J. Dobbs, rider of Calling The Wind. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the committee were satisfied that no further action was warranted.
The case was presented by Mr. Michael Daly, IHRB Regulatory Legal Advisor.
Suspension Dates for Mr. McCullagh : 26th and 28th October