The Referrals Committee, Peter Allen (in the Chair), Mrs. J.O. Onions and Sean Barry met at the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare on Friday, 11th October 2013 to consider the referral of Mark McNiff, trainer, by Denis Egan, Chief Executive of the Turf Club following a random stable inspection carried out at his Training Establishment on 28th August 2013 by Turf Club Officials, Michael O’Donoghue and Terry Smith M.R.C.V.S.  During the inspection they discovered that six horses namely, Arkansas Dave, Breeogue Boy, Cisro, Drummans Bridge, Josh Deets and Lord Friday were not at the premises and should have been returned out of training.

Evidence was heard from Mark McNiff.  The Committee also considered a written report on the visit from Michael O’Donoghue and Terry Smith.   In his evidence Mark McNiff said he accepted that the six horses should have been returned out of training.  He said that three of them, namely Arkansas Dave, Breeogue Boy and Cisro were under his care at a leased farm four miles away from his Training Establishment.  He said the Drummans Bridge had been sent away, while Josh Deets and Lord Friday had recently died.

Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee noted that Mark McNiff had accepted he was in breach of Rule 148(vi) for the non-return of horses out of training and fined him €200 in respect of the horse Arkansas Dave with the case proven in the other five cases.

The case was presented by Denis Egan, Chief Executive of the Turf Club, Curragh, Co. Kildare.