The Referrals Committee, Mr. John Powell (in the Chair), Mr. T.E. Hyde and Mr. Hugh Williams, met at Tipperary Racecourse on Thursday 20th May 2010, to consider a referral from Josh Byrne, Registrar of the I.N.H.S. Committee, concerning the identification of “Brave Ellie” which was due to run at Cork Racecourse on 5th April, 2010, in the Cork & Waterford Mares Point to Point I.N.H. Flat Race, but was withdrawn by order of the Stewards as the Veterinary Surgeon on duty was unable to positively identify the animal from the passport documentation presented.

Evidence was heard from Miss Margaret M. O’Sullivan, trainer and handler, who explained the background to the mistaken identity.  The Committee also considered a DNA report and markings certificates from Weatherbys Ireland Laboratories.

The Committee having considered the evidence, noted that the animal produced to run as “Brave Ellie” at Cork Racecourse on 5th April was in fact an unnamed Ch f (2005) by Exit To Nowhere (USA) - Derravaragh Cygnet (IRE).  They were satisfied that the owners had confused the identity with another filly in their care, a Ch f (2004) by Definite Article (GB) - Country Melody (IRE) prior to it being dispatched to Miss O’Sullivan’s training establishment.  They were also satisfied that Miss O’Sullivan was guilty of a serious error of judgement for failing to identify the animal in her care compared to the passport documentation and ordered her to pay the various costs incurred. 

The Committee noted that the animal purported to be by Definite Article (GB) - Country Melody (IRE) had run on three previous occasions in Point to Points was therefore disqualified from the following races:-

Killeagh, 17th January, 2010,   - Mares maiden 5 & 6-y-o
Doneraile, 7th March, 2010,   - Mares Maiden 6-y-o
Duhallow, 28th March, 2010,   - Mares Maiden 6 & 7-y-o

The Committee ordered that the name “Brave Ellie (IRE)” should be registered to the Ch f (2005) by Exit To Nowhere (USA) - Derravaragh Cygnet (IRE) and not to the Ch f (2004) by Definite Article (GB) - Country Melody (IRE) as previously published.

The case was presented to the Committee by Mr. Josh Byrne, Registrar, I.N.H.S. Committee.