The Appeals Body, Mr M C Hickey (Chairman), Mr Anthony Byrne and Mr John Murphy convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Tuesday, 22 April 2025 to consider the appeal of Luke McAteer (Rider) against the decision of the Raceday Stewards at Leopardstown on 09 April 2025.    

On the day, following the running of the Bulmers Live At Leopardstown Handicap, the Raceday Stewards found Mr McAteer, rider of Browned Off, in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having considered his record in this regard (second offence), the Raceday Stewards suspended him for four racedays.    

The grounds of the appeal lodged by Mr McAteer were that he believed he did not ride carelessly. 

At the appeal hearing, evidence was heard from Mr McAteer and Appeals Body also watched a recording of the race. 

In his evidence Mr McAteer stated that he corrected his mount after drifting away from the rail towards the horse on his outside. Mr McAteer stated that he believed there was not a sufficient gap for another horse to move up on his inside, so he corrected his position back towards the rail to prevent any potential interference caused by drifting outward and wasn’t aware of any horse on his inside. Mr McAteer said he did not hear any shout from any riders behind him and believed that he did not cause any interference during the race. 

Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body dismissed the appeal and confirmed the breach of Rule 214. Having considered Mr McAteer’s record, the appeals body reduced the suspension imposed from four racedays to three racedays. 

The Appeal was presented by Mr Andrew Coonan of Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, County Kildare on behalf of Mr McAteer. The IHRB was represented by Ms Louise Troy BL instructed by Christine Traynor Head of Racing Regulation & Integrity and Mr Andrew Ring, IHRB Stipendiary Steward