The Referrals Committee, Mr. Peter Allen (Chairman), Dr. Paddy Molony and Mr. Noel McCaffrey convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Wednesday 6th December 2023, to consider the referral of Mr. John Joseph Hanlon (Trainer) in relation to the identification of Getaway Erin which was due to run on 24th November 2023 at Fairyhouse in The Racing TV Black Friday Offer Maiden Hurdle.
On the day, the Stewards received a report from Mr. Anthony Ryan, IHRB Veterinary Officer, that he was unable to positively identify Getaway Erin from the microchip number contained on the passport for the horse and that the filly presented was in fact an unnamed filly by Affinisea x Little Vinnie. The Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Getaway Erin in accordance with Rule 90 (iii) and referred the matter to a Senior Racing Official for further investigation.
At the Referral Hearing, the committee considered evidence from Mr. Hanlon.
In his evidence, Mr. Hanlon explained that both fillies are around the same height and very similar with no distinctive markings. Mr. Hanlon stated that they were both washed that morning and put on the walker when he got a call to say that traffic was bad on the way to the races and he got his staff to load Getaway Erin in the horsebox. Mr. Hanlon said this is when the wrong filly was loaded and therefore was presented at the races. Mr. Hanlon apologised for the mix up that took place at Fairyhouse and accepted that he was in breach of Rule 90 (iii). He also assured the Committee that he has taken active measures to prevent a reoccurrence of this incident by purchasing a microchip reader.
Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee were satisfied that Mr. Hanlon was in breach of Rule 90 (iv) and fined him €500.
The case was presented by Ms. Clíodhna Guy, IHRB Head of Licensing, Legal and Compliance.