The Referrals Committee, Mr Robert Dore (Chairman), Mr Noel McCaffrey and Dr Paddy Molony convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Friday, 31 May to consider the referral of Wayne Hassett (Rider) following notification that he may have ridden in breach of the Rules of Racing and Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Rules.
Following a report received from Mr Gary Shaw, IHRB Licencing Department, on 17 May 2024 the IHRB investigated a potential breach of the Rules of Racing and Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Rules due to Mr Hassett appearing to ride in seven races with the incorrect allowance following his failure to notify the IHRB of a winner he had ridden outside of Ireland.
Evidence was heard from Mr Hassett at the hearing.
In his evidence, Mr Hassett accepted he was in breach Rule 69 (iii) in that he had failed to notify the IHRB immediately after riding a winner outside of Ireland. Mr Hassett explained that it was a genuine mistake on his behalf as he wasn’t aware of the requirement to notify the IHRB of winners recorded in the Great Britain as he assumed the Rule only applied to other jurisdictions such as America and Australia.
In accordance with Rule 262(v)(c) the IHRB objected to the results of the following races where it appeared the weight at which the rider weighed out was less than their correct weight:
|
Date |
Horse |
Race |
Place |
|
14 May 2024 |
Uluru |
Irish Stallion Farms EBF (F) Race at Killarney Racecourse |
2nd |
|
15 May 2024 |
Sadiqaa |
Yeats Country Claiming Race at Sligo Racecourse |
6th |
|
15 May 2024 |
Victor’s Choice |
Decoclip Construction Company Handicap at Sligo Racecourse |
8th |
|
15 May 2024 |
Miami Sunrise |
Enda McGoldrick, Plant & Agri Hire Handicap at Sligo Racecourse |
7th |
|
15 May 2024 |
Carlo Bianconi |
Web The Tool Company Handicap at Sligo Racecourse |
1st |
|
15 May 2024 |
Evan’s Secret |
countysligoraces.com Maiden at Sligo Racecourse |
3rd |
|
16 May 2024 |
Linger for Longer |
Ryans Cleaning Handicap at Limerick Racecourse |
12th |
Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee found Mr Hassett in breach of Rule 69(i) & (iii), and Rule 195(i) and fined him €250 in respect of all breaches. Furthermore, the Referrals Committee allowed the objection to each of the seven races referenced and ordered that the result of following races be amended, the stake be forfeited and any prize money to be returned under Rule 262(v):
- Uluru (Placed second) Irish Stallion Farms EBF (F) Race in Killarney on 14 May 2024 – now disqualified.
Amended results now reads as follows:
First: Alpheratz
Second: Orderofthephoenix
Third: Tannola
- Sadiqaa (Placed sixth) Yeats County Claiming Race in Sligo on 15 May 2024 - now disqualified.
Amended results now reads as follows:
First: Eruption
Second: Beaumadier
Third: Aurora Nova
Fourth: Akeela
Fifth: Redshore City
Sixth: Rebecca’s Girl
- Victor’s Choice (finished eighth) Decoclip Construction Company Handicap in Sligo on 15 May 2024 - now disqualified.
- Miami Sunshine (USA) (finished seventh) Enda McGoldrick Plant & Agri Hire Handicap in Sligo on 15 May 2024 – now disqualified.
- Carlo Bianconi (FR) (Placed first) Web The Tool Company Handicap in Sligo on 15 May 2024 – now disqualified.
Amended results now reads as follows:
First: Pinball Wizard
Second: Laelaps
Third: Red Ball of Fire
Fourth: Fiver Friday
Fifth: Gunsight
Sixth: Out on Friday
- Evan’s Secret (GB) (Placed third) countysligoraces.com Maiden in Sligo on 15 May 2024 – now disqualified.
Amended results now reads as follows:
First: Alonzo
Second: Man of Worth
Third: Jinxs Link
Fourth: Bladon
Fifth: Crazy Warrior
Sixth: Big Smoke
- Linger for Longer (Finished 12th) Ryans Cleaning Handicap in Limerick on 16 May 2024 - now disqualified.
The case was presented by Ms Clíodhna Guy, IHRB Head of Governance and Legal and Mr Hassett represented himself and was accompanied by Mr Sean Corby.