The Referrals Committee, Mrs. J.O. Onions (in the chair), Mrs. T.K. Cooper and Mr. C.E. O’Sullivan met in the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare on 7th May 2010 to consider the referral of John C. McConnell, trainer, by Denis Egan, Chief Executive of the Turf Club, in respect of two horses under his care which were found to be using the Curragh Training Grounds on 17th February 2010 without being returned in training.

Evidence was heard from Paul Hensey, Curragh Racecourse and Training Grounds Manager, Pat Kelly, Training Grounds Manager and John McConnell.  In his evidence Mr. McConnell accepted that he had breached Rule and Order 24 and that he hadn’t got around to returning the two horses concerned.  He admitted that there were other horses in training with him at the time using the facilities which he had not got around to returning in training either.  He also confirmed that he returned a number of other horses in training on the day after the microchip check.

Having considered the evidence the Committee found that John C. McConnell was in breach of Rule and Order 24 and fined him €2,800 (€1,400 in respect of each omission). 

The case was presented by Denis Egan, Chief Executive of the Turf Club.