The Referrals Committee, Mr. Laurence McFerran (in the chair), Mr. Anthony Byrne and Mr. Robert William Steele convened in the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Thursday 15th September 2022, to consider the referral of Mr. Eric McNamara (Trainer) in relation to the identification of Janverlil which was due to run on 22nd August 2022 at Ballinrobe.
On the day, the Stewards received a report from Ms. Nicola O’Connor, IHRB Veterinary Officer, that she was unable to positively identify Janverlil from the markings and the microchip number contained on the passport for the horse and that the filly presented was in fact an Cooleygorman
At the Referral Hearing, the committee considered evidence from Mr. McNamara.
In his evidence, Mr. McNamara accepted he was in breach of Rule 90(vi). He explained that both fillies had been purchased at the same sale in 2021 and were extremely similar looking. He stated that both fillies had been mixed up from the time they arrived in his yard and this was despite examining their passports due to their similarities. Mr. McNamara admitted he didn’t have a microchip reader at the time but has since acquired one to prevent anything similar happening in the future.
Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee were satisfied that Mr. McNamara was in breach of Rule 90(vi) and imposed a fine of €350.
The case was presented by Mr. Michael Daly, IHRB Regulatory Legal Advisor