The Appeals Body, Mr Finbar Cahill (Chairman), Mr Michael Hickey and Mr Noel McCaffrey convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Tuesday, 26 November to consider the appeals of Danny Mullins (Rider) and Bronsan Racing (Owner) against the decision of the Raceday Stewards at Navan on 16 November 2024.

On the day, following the running of the Bar One Racing Fortria Chase, the Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference at the last fence involving Found A Fifty, ridden by J W Kennedy, placed first and Solness (FR) ridden by D E Mullins, placed second. Having reviewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards made no alteration to the Judge’s placings and took no further action.

The grounds of appeal lodged by Mr Mullins and Bronsan Racing were that the Raceday Stewards erred in their decision.  

At the appeal hearing, evidence was heard from Mr Mullins, Mr Yigit Unallar, Chief Technology Officer of Halo.com.ai, Mr Kennedy, Rider and Mr Gordon Elliott, Trainer. Mr Neil Sands, Bronsan Racing, was in attendance remotely. The Appeals Body also watched a recording of the race and considered a report submitted from Mr Unallar.

In his evidence, Mr Mullins stated that he felt he was three quarters of a length behind Mr Kennedy and Found A Fifty approaching the last fence without fully committing his mount. Mr Mullins explained that he had suffered interference as Mr Kennedy’s mount jumped right at the last fence and given the nature of the interference it was difficult to regain his momentum going up the hill to the finish line. Mr Mullins said that he felt his mount was travelling better than Found A Fifty prior to the last fence.

Expert evidence was given on behalf of Bronsan Racing, and in that evidence, Mr Unallar outlined that he was using tracking data in his capacity as a data scientist. Mr Unallar said that his view was that Solness had travelled 3.12m more than he would have had it not been for the interference at the last race and referred to the final winning distance being just a neck.

In his evidence, Mr Kennedy said that he felt he went two and a half to three lengths clear between the last two fences before his mount began to idle in front and he felt he was still a length or more clear approaching the last fence. Mr Kennedy accepted that his mount stalled going to the last fence which allowed Solness to close the gap. Mr Kennedy stated that he felt his horse was doing as little as he had to do and would prefer a lead but was the best horse on the day.

In his evidence, Mr Elliott stated that Found A Fifty is a horse who only typically does what he has to do and was a snug winner at the finish line. Mr Elliott added that he felt Found A Fifty was the best horse on the day and would have been more impressive if he had a lead for longer.

Having considered all of the evidence, the Appeals Body dismissed the appeal confirming that the Raceday Stewards had not erred in their decision on the day to take no further action with respect to judges placing.

The appeal was presented by Mr Andrew Coonan, Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, County Kildare on behalf of Mr Mullins and Bronsan Racing. Bective Stud, Owners of Found A Fifty, were represented by Mr Kevin Power, Maurice Power Solicitors, Kilmallock, County Limerick. The IHRB was represented by Mr Liam Walsh, IHRB Stipendiary Steward.