The Referrals Committee, Mr. Peter N. Reynolds (in the chair), Mr. Peter Law and Mr. Anthony Byrne convened at Dundalk Racecourse on 16th December 2020 to consider the referral of D.W. O’Connor, Sam Ewing, G.M. Ryan and A.C. Persse by the Stewards at Dundalk on 27th November 2020.
Following the running of the Dundalk Stadium Gift Vouchers Apprentice Handicap, the Stewards commenced an enquiry into possible interference in the closing stages but were unable to conclude the enquiry as G.M. Ryan and A.C. Persse were unable to attend due to injuries sustained in the race.
Evidence from the Stewards Enquiry on the day was heard from Donagh O’Connor (Rider) and Sam Ewing (Rider), in the presence of Mr. Kevin O’Ryan. Further evidence at the referral hearing was heard from Gavin Ryan (Rider) and Alan Persse (Rider) with Sam Ewing, in the presence of Fran Berry, and Donagh O’Connor also in attendance.
Initial evidence on the day was given by Donagh O’Connor (Rider) and Sam Ewing (Rider). Mr. O’Connor stated that he had come to make a challenge and his mount, Aldente, just began to lean to the left until he corrected her. He acknowledged that his mount may have bumped Clonard Abbey, ridden by Gavin Ryan, but that contact was minimal and he didn’t hear any shout and wasn’t aware that there had been a faller until he pulled up after the race. Mr. O’Connor confirmed this evidence at the referral hearing.
Mr. Ewing said that he was familiar with his mount, Tham Luang, and his tendency to hang left in his races. He said that he corrected his mount when he felt pressure from his outside and Mr. Ryan’s mount, Clonard Abbey, had bumped him and clipped a heel. Mr. Ewing confirmed this evidence at the referral hearing.
At the referral hearing, Mr. Ryan said his mount, Clonard Abbey was staying on when she began to drift left independently in the closing stages and despite trying to correct his mount to avoid any other horses and snatching up, Clonard Abbey got sandwiched between horses before clipping a heel.
In his evidence, Mr. Persse said he was well behind the incident and was just brought down by Clonard Abbey.
Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee were of the opinion that the interference was accidental and took no further action.
The case was presented by Mr. Michael O'Donoghue, IHRB Stipendiary Steward.