The Referrals Committee, Mr. Peter N. Reynolds (in the chair), Ms. Mary M. O’Connor and Mr. Jack Rearden convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Monday, 22nd November 2021 to consider the referral of riders, Kevin Manning, rider of Dublin Journal, Wayne Lordan rider of Flying Scotsman, Chris Hayes, rider of Pita Pinta, Gavin Ryan, rider of Igraine and Shane Foley, rider of Anner Castle following the Galway Handicap at Galway on 25th October 2021.
On the day, the Stewards wished to enquire into an incident at about the one furlong marker on the first circuit but were unable to do so as Mr. Manning was unfit to attend the enquiry to give evidence on medical advice and therefore the matter was referred on to the Referrals Committee.
At the Referral Hearing, evidence was heard from Mr. Manning, Mr. Lordan, Mr. Hayes, Mr. Ryan and Mr. Foley and the panel also viewed a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr. Manning stated that his mount was sluggish leaving the stalls and he found himself in the position he was in when he would have ideally been more prominent. Mr. Manning said that he initially received pressure from his outside and then from his inside and his horse clipped a heel and came down.
Mr. Lordan said that his mount jumped well from the stalls but as the field bunched up he was unable to hold his position and it just got tight from both sides.
Mr. Hayes reported on the day that his mount got struck into behind and understood that his mount needed stitches as a result. He added that his mount almost jumped too well from the stalls as she was stepping up in trip on this occasion and he was trying to take her back when the outside horses began to come across and his filly received a nudge from his outside.
Mr. Ryan stated that he was drawn widest of all and his mount jumped smartly from the stalls and he wanted to go forward. He suggested that some of the horses who were slow away wanted to be in a better position and as a result there were five horses where there should have only been three. Mr. Ryan added that when he got to the point of the bend that Mr. Manning’s mount got bumped out and ended up catching a heel.
Mr. Foley said that he was on a big strong horse who was running in his first handicap and while it was messy at the start and things got quite tight, his mount was able to cope with it.
Having considered the evidence, the panel were satisfied that Mr. Ryan was in breach of Rule 214(ii) in that he ridden carelessly and having considered his record in this regard they suspended him for five race days.
The case was presented by Mr. Michael Daly, IHRB Regulatory Advisor
Dates of Suspension: 8th, 10th, 15th, 17th December and 5th January