The Appeals Body (Division 2) Mr. Laurence McFerran (in the chair), Mr. Anthony Byrne and Mr. Noel McCaffrey convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Thursday 13th October 2022 to consider the appeal of Keith Donoghue (Rider) against the decision of the Stewards at Galway on 4th October 2022.
On the day, following the running of the Galway Handicap Hurdle, the Stewards found Mr. Donoghue, rider of Money Heist, in breach of Regulation 10.3(g) in that he had used his whip with excessive frequency and having considered his record in this regard they suspended him for one raceday.
The grounds of appeal lodged by Mr. Donoghue was against the severity of the sanction imposed.
At the Appeal Hearing, evidence was heard from Mr. Donoghue and the committee also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr. Donoghue accepted that he exceeded the limits allowed under Regulation 10 and stated that this was his first offence in this regard throughout his career. He suggested on the basis of this clean record that the sanction imposed on the day was severe.
Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body dismissed the appeal.
The case was presented by Mr. Michael Daly, IHRB Regulatory Legal Advisor.
Suspension Date: 20th October