The Appeals Body (Division One), Patrick Reidy (in the Chair), Peter Reynolds and N.B. Wachman met at the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, on Friday 25th April, 2014, to consider an appeal from Colin Keane, rider, against the decision of the Stewards at Navan on 12th April, 2014.  On that date the Stewards found the rider to be in breach of Rule 231 in that he weighed in 1.7lbs overweight following the running of the €20 Family Ticket for May 18th Family Day Fillies Maiden.  As a result he was suspended for one race day.

The rider’s grounds of appeal were that the trainer (Tom McCourt) for whom he rode changed his girth for a heavier girth without his knowledge or consent.

Evidence was heard from Colin Keane and Tom McCourt.

In his evidence Colin Keane outlined what occurred.  He said he was unaware that Tom McCourt had changed the girths after he weighed out.

In his evidence, Tom McCourt accepted he changed the girths with no reference to the rider.  He said he went to the jockey’s room and was handed a girth by the rider’s valet which he now knows was heavier than the original girth.

Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body found that Colin Keane was in breach of Rule 231(iii) as he weighed in overweight.  However, taking into account the background to what occurred, the Appeals Body reduced the penalty imposed from 1 day to a severe caution.

The case was presented by Paul Murtagh, Turf Club Stipendiary Steward.  Colin Keane was represented by Andrew Coonan, Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, Co. Kildare.