The Referrals Committee, Mr Michael Hickey (Chairman), Mr Anthony Byrne and Mr John Murphy convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Tuesday, 25 March 2025, to consider an objection by a Senior Racing Official in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 48(i)(c) of the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Regulations, regarding the eligibility to ride of Mr Charlie Mullins, rider of  Step Up Son, placed second, in Race 5, the Kirbys Pharmacy Open Lightweight (Novice Riders) at the Scarteen (F) Comea Point to Point on Sunday, 9 February 2025. 

The application arose following an investigation by the IHRB into whether Mr Mullins, rider of Step Up Son met the qualifications required to ride in the race, which was confined to Novice Riders, as outlined in the race entry conditions.  

At the Referrals Committee hearing, evidence was heard from Mr Mullins and Mr Ray Bergin, IHRB Point to Point Operations Manager.  

In his evidence, Mr Mullins admitted that he was not familiar with the qualification rules for Novice Riders in Point to Points, as he does not frequently ride in Point to Point races. He stated that the misunderstanding was a genuine mistake, apologised and accepted that he was in breach of the relevant Regulation. 

In his evidence, Mr Bergin stated that Mr Mullins had ridden 16 career winners prior to the closing of entries on Tuesday 4 February for the Scarteen (F) Comea fixture which included 14 wins on the racecourse and two Point to Point winners. He further stated that currently, only those riders, who have not ridden more than 15 winners under any Rules of Racing or Steeplechasing, including Point to Point Steeplechases prior to the closing of entries, are qualified to ride in races confined to Novice Riders. 

Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee considered that under Regulation 1(i), which defines a Novice Rider, that Mr Mullins was in breach of Rule 87(i)(h), in that he was not qualified to ride in Race 5, the Kirbys Pharmacy Open-Novice Riders at the Scarteen (F) Comea Point to Point and imposed a fine of €150. The Referrals Committee also ordered that Step Up Son be disqualified from the race in question and the result of the race be amended to read as follows:  

Scarteen (F) Comea Point to Point – 9 February 2025 

Kirbys Pharmacy Open - Novice Riders  

First: Boss Robin  

Second: Robbin’hannon  

The case was presented by Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity.