The Referrals Committee, Justice Tony Hunt (in the chair), Justice Leonie Reynolds and Laurence McFerran, met at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), The Curragh, Co. Kildare on Friday, 18th May 2018 to consider the referral of D.P. Murphy, Qualified Rider as a result of him failing to present himself at a stewards’ enquiry at Tramore on 16th April 1018, following the running of the Outcider Hunters Steeplechase, having been instructed to attend.
On the day, the stewards declined to grant permission to Mr. Murphy to ride at 2lbs overweight in the race when no overweight had been declared and sought to re-interview him after the race into the circumstances surrounding the non-declaration. In the absence of Mr. Murphy, the stewards went ahead and interviewed Finbar Tierney representing Ruaidhri Joseph Tierney, Trainer of Sandycove Island (Mr. Murphy’s mount), and he gave his evidence to the Stewards outlining what had occurred.
At today’s hearing, evidence was heard from D.P. Murphy.
In his evidence Mr. Murphy firstly apologised for leaving the racecourse on the day concerned. He stated that he had advised the trainer to declare the 2lbs overweight but it was too late as the time for the nomination of riders had closed. He said that he had made considerable efforts to lose the weight but had not been able to do so. He advised that he now realises what his minimum riding weight is and stated that he will stay within that in the future to avoid further rule breaches.
Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee found that D.P. Murphy was in breach of Rule13(b) for his failure to comply with a reasonable request or instruction from a racing official as he left the racecourse prior to the completion of the Stewards Enquiry. He was cautioned for this rule breach. They also found that he was in breach of Rule 231(iii) for his failure to weigh out at the correct weight and imposed a suspension of two racedays (June 1st & 2nd).
The case was presented by Cliodhna Guy, Head of Licensing, Legal & Compliance.