The Referrals Committee, Mr. Justice Raymond Groarke (in the chair), Mr. Anthony Byrne and Mr. N.B. Wachman convened via Zoom on 10th May 2021 to consider the request of Mr. Eoghan Dargan (Owner) to proceed with entries for the horse In Salutem who had previously raced in unrecognised meetings.
Following the close of entries for the fixture at Leopardstown on 11th April 2021, Mr. Dargan became aware that In Salutem had ran in “flapping” races at unrecognised meetings since he last ran on a racecourse under the Rules of Racing. Mr. Dargan advised his trainer, Ms Katy Brown not to run the horse and contacted the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.
The Referrals Committee considered details of an investigation from Mr. Chris Gordon, IHRB Head of Security and submissions from Mr. Dargan.
As part of the investigation, it was established that In Saltuem had raced at an unrecognised meetings under the name “Be Ambitious” and his last time to run in a “flapping” race was in May 2019.
In his submissions, Mr. Dargan outlined that he purchased the horse on the website Done Deal for €1,000 in May 2020 and was unaware that the horse had been running in “flapping” races. Mr. Dargan outlined his intention for the horse to run again on the racecourse under Rules.
Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee were satisfied that there was a breach of Rule 275(ii) in that In Salutem had run at unrecognised meetings. They imposed a two-year suspension on In Salutem from 30th May 2019 having been assured that Mr. Dargan purchased the horse in good faith.
The case was presented by Cliodhna Guy, Head of Legal, Licensing & Compliance.