A.P. O’Brien (Trainer) Appeal
Decision of the Licensing Committee not to grant an apprentice licence to Miss Ana O’Brien

The Appeals Body (Division Two), N.B. Wachman (in the Chair), Sean Barry and Mrs. T.K. Cooper met at the Turf Club on 17th August 2012 to consider the appeal of A.P. O’Brien, trainer against the decision of the Licensing Committee not to grant an apprentice licence to Ana O’Brien.  The licence had been refused by the Licensing Committee on the basis that Ana O’Brien had not passed the riding assessment at RACE and as such in accordance with the criteria set out for the licensing of apprentice jockeys in Regulation 1 of the Rules of Racing and INHS Rules, was not eligible to be licensed.

The grounds of appeal lodged by A.P. O’Brien were that “the assessor, Paul Keating erred in his assessment of Ana’s riding ability.”

Evidence was heard from A.P. O’Brien (trainer), P.J. Smullen and J.A. Heffernan (riders), Paul Keating (RACE Instructor) and Orlagh Rice (RACE Training Manager).

Having considered the evidence the Appeals Body dismissed the appeal on the basis that Ana O’Brien must pass the RACE assessment to be eligible for licensing.  They recommended that Ana O’Brien be re-assessed by RACE at the next available opportunity.  They also ordered that €200 be retained from A.P. O’Brien’s deposit to cover Turf Club costs. 

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