The Appeals Body (Division 2) Mr. M.C. Hickey, Mr. Anthony Byrne and Mr. Jack Rearden convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Thursday 18th August 2022 to consider the appeal of Shane Crosse (Rider) against the decision of the Stewards at Leopardstown on 4th August 2022.
On the day, following the running of the Manguard Plus Handicap, the Stewards found Mr. Crosse, rider of Rose Of Malta, in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having considered his record in this regard they suspended him for three racedays.
The grounds of appeal lodged by Mr. Crosse was that the Stewards on the day erred in their decision.
At the Appeal Hearing, evidence was heard from Mr. Crosse and the committee also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr. Crosse confirmed his report given to the Clerk of the Scales immediately after the race which was that his mount got no clear run in the straight and he added that this can be common in competitive handicaps with big fields at Leopardstown. Mr. Crosse stated that he felt his ground was taken just prior to the incident in question and he had to pull out to avoid danger at this instance but remained close to the horse in front of him which was Bonnyrigg, ridden by Billy Lee. Mr. Crosse said a gap appeared to his right which he felt he had to take to make sure he didn’t clip a heel of Mr. Lee’s horse and while he was aware that Uisce, ridden by Shane Foley, was to his right, he said there was enough room to make his manoeuvre. Mr. Crosse added that a combination of factors made the incident look worse than it was. He said that his horse was finishing strongly with momentum going forward as some horses in front of him were tiring and also Mr. Foley’s mount was running green and shifted slightly left again as he went for his gap.
Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body found Mr. Crosse was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly but in light of some mitigating factors they reduced the suspension to two racedays.
The case was presented by Mr. Michael Daly, IHRB Regulatory Legal Advisor.
Dates of suspension: 21st and 24th August