Chestnut Charlie/Lindsay Woods/T. McGowan

The Referrals Committee, Dr. Gordon A. Holmes (in the Chair), Mrs. J.O. Onions and Mr. Charles Cunningham met at the Stand House Hotel, The Curragh, Co. Kildare on 19th June 2007 to consider a referral from Mr. Denis Egan, Keeper of the Matchbook in relation to possible breaches in Rules by Mr. Lindsay Woods, Trainer and Mr. Terence McGowan regarding ownership of Chestnut Charlie and to investigate whether or not Chestnut Charlie under the name of The Boxer had taken part in an unrecognised meeting in Boyle on 27th August 2006.  The matter was referred to the Referrals Committee following investigations carried out by Mr. James P. Johnston, Turf Club Head of Security, Mr. Martin Healy, Security Officer and Mr. T.J.A. Smith, Veterinary Officer following a visit to the stable of Mr. Woods on 18th April 2007.

The Committee considered evidence from Lindsay Woods who admitted that he returned Chestnut Charlie in training in the name of Terence McGowan for a period of time when the horse was in fact the property of Ms. Fiona McConnell.

The Committee also considered written evidence from Terence McGowan.
 
The Committee further considered evidence from Mr. M.M. McNiff, Stable Employee of Lindsay Woods and Ms. Fiona McConnell, Registered Owner of Chestnut Charlie in relation to Chestnut Charlie’s participation in an unrecognised meeting at Boyle on 27th August 2006, as well as a report from T.J.A. Smith.

Having considered the evidence the Committee found that:

i)    Lindsay Woods was in breach of Rule 148(vi) and fined him €500.

ii)    Terence McGowan was not in breach of any Rule.

iii)    Chestnut Charlie and The Boxer were the same horse.

iv)    Chestnut Charlie under the name of The Boxer had run at an unrecognised meeting at Boyle on 27th August 2006.

v)    Chestnut Charlie was not qualified to run in any races after 27th August 2006 in accordance with the provisions of Rule 87.