The Appeals Body (Division Two), Mr. N.B. Wachman, (in the chair), Mr. Joseph M. McGrath and Mrs. J.O. Onions met at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) on Monday 22nd October 2018 to consider the Appeal of D.E. Mullins (Rider) against the decision of the Stewards at Punchestown on 16th October 2018.
On the day, following the running of the “Build Your Bet” On Football With Coral Handicap Steeplechase, the Stewards interviewed D.E. Mullins, rider of Tikkanen Express, concerning his use of the whip between the final two fences. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that D.E. Mullins was in breach of Regulation 10 (4) by failing to give his mount time to respond to the whip. Having considered his previous record, the Stewards suspended D.E. Mullins for 4 racedays.
The grounds of Appeal lodged by Mr. Mullins was that he was not in breach of Regulation 10 (4) in that he did give his mount time to respond.
Evidence was heard from Mr. Mullins. The Appeals Body viewed a recording of the race and considered a transcript of the original evidence.
In his evidence, Mr. Mullins outlined what had occurred during the race and referred to an incident at the fourth fence where the horse had tried to duck out. He explained why he used his whip as he did between the last two fences and said that when the horse stopped responding he had put down his whip. He said he did not feel he was in breach of any rule.
Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body found that the Punchestown Stewards were justified in arriving at their decision based on the evidence and as a result they dismissed Mr. Mullins’s appeal.
In arriving at penalty, they noted Mr. Mullins’s record and the guidelines issued on penalty. They reaffirmed the original penalty of four racedays (1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th November) imposed by the Stewards and also ordered that Mr. Mullins attend RACE before his suspension has ended for one day’s tuition on the correct use of the whip.
The case was presented by Paul Murtagh, Head of Raceday Operations.