The Referrals Committee, Mr. Justice Raymond Groarke Keegan (in the chair), Mr. Peter M. Allen and Mr. N.B. Wachman convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Monday 23rd May 2022 to consider the referral of Shane Fenelon, P.J. O’Hanlon, K.E. Buckley, Cian Cullinan, Kieran Callaghan, J.P. O’Sullivan, R.J. Condon, E. Walsh, C.G. O’Dwyer, M.P. O’Connor, A.P. Kelly, C.M. Quirke, D.P. Holden, A. McCurtin, J.R. Wildman, J.B. Kane, G.B. Noonan, S. O’Callaghan, T.N. Brett, N.J. Ryan, J.B. Foley, S. Fitzgerald, J.G. Gilligan and B.P. Kennedy (Riders) following a report from Mr. J.R. Banahan that they had disobeyed his instructions prior to the start of the Adare Manor Opportunity Final Handicap Hurdle.
On the day, the Stewards received a report from Mr. J.R. Banahan, IHRB Starter, concerning the conduct of the Riders prior to the running of the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, following which, the matter was referred to the CEO of the IHRB, who having considered it referred the case to the Referrals Committee for their determination.
At the Referral Hearing, evidence was heard from Mr. Fenelon, Mr. Cullinan, Mr. Condon, Mr. Callaghan, Mr. Walsh, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Holden, Mr. Kane, Mr. O’Callaghan, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Foley and Mr. Kennedy. The committee also viewed a recording of the start of this race.
In his evidence, Mr. Fenelon stated that he was two horses from the outside and when all the horses on his inside began to go forward his mount followed.
Mr. Cullinan stated that he was doing everything in his power to prevent his horse from breaking into a canter.
Mr. Condon said that he was in the middle of the field and that he obeyed the Starter as best he could.
Mr. Callaghan said that he was three horses from the outside and was trying to slow his horse by using his bodyweight and leaning back.
Mr. Walsh stated that he was on the outside and that horses were getting revved up in the long walk to the Starter with a field of 25 runners. He said he attempted to break his horses momentum when the horses in the inside were going forward.
Mr. Kelly said that he was in the middle of the field and got bullied out of his position as he didn’t want to break into a canter.
Mr. Holden stated that he was just attempting to maintain his place in the front line and felt he couldn’t have done anymore to obey the starter.
Mr. Kane said that by the time the field had reached the road crossing prior to the start he was already using his full strength to restrain his horse and was being very vocal to the other riders as he was aware there was no flag raised and therefore there would be no start.
Mr. O’Callaghan said when the horses in front of his mount went to go forward that his horse followed.
Mr. Ryan stated that his mount was jig jogging to try and keep his position and when he heard Mr. Banahan informing the riders to walk, he attempted to stand up and pull up his horse.
Mr. Foley stated that the horses were getting revved up a considerable time prior to the start time and he had removed himself from the group for this reason. He felt he was not in breach of disobeying the Starter as he did everything in his power to prevent his horse from going forward and was the first to turn around. He added that he was always aware there would be no start as the Starter had still not raised his flag.
Mr. Kennedy said his mount was an inexperienced four-year-old who was having his first run in a handicap and was revved at the start. He stated that he tried to keep it simple on his horse and was also aware that there was no flag raised so the race would not start but it was difficult due to his mount.
Having considered the evidence, the panel were satisfied that P.J. O’Hanlon, K.E. Buckley, Cian Cullinan, J.P. O’Sullivan, R.J. Condon, E. Walsh, C.G. O’Dwyer, M.P. O’Connor, C.M. Quirke, D.P. Holden, A. McCurtin, J.R. Wildman, G.B. Noonan, T.N. Brett, N.J. Ryan, S. Fitzgerald, J.G. Gilligan and B.P. Kennedy were in breach of Rule 208(v)(b) in that they failed to comply with the instructions from the Starter. Having considered their record in this regard, the committee imposed a sanction of one raceday on Mr. O’Hanlon, Mr. Buckley, Mr. Cullinan, Mr. Condon, Mr. O’Dwyer, Mr. Quirke, Mr. Holden, Mr. Wildman, Mr. Ryan and Mr. Kennedy, they imposed a sanction of two racedays on Mr. Walsh, Mr. O’Connor, Mr. Brett, Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Gilligan and they imposed a sanction of three racedays on Mr. O’Sullivan, Mr. McCurtin and Mr. Noonan.
The case was presented by Mr. Michael Daly, IHRB Regulatory Legal Advisor.
Date of suspension for Mr. O’Hanlon, Mr. Buckley, Mr. Cullinan, Mr. Condon, Mr. O’Dwyer, Mr. Quirke, Mr. Holden, Mr. Wildman, Mr. Ryan and Mr. Kennedy: 6th June
Dates of suspension for Mr. Walsh, Mr. O’Connor, Mr. Brett, Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Gilligan: 6th and 8th June
Dates of suspension for Mr. O’Sullivan, Mr. McCurtin and Mr. Noonan: 6th, 8th and 10th June