The Referrals Committee, Mr. Sean Barry (in the Chair), Mr. Laurence McFerran and Mr. Noel McCaffrey met in the Turf Club Offices on Monday, 12th September, 2016, to consider a referral from Josh Byrne, Registrar of the I.N.H.S. Committee, concerning the identification of “Eddies Miracle” handled by Mr. Gordon M. Doyle. Eddies Miracle was due to run in the Maiden Race for 4-y-o Geldings at the Duhallow (F) Kanturk Point to Point fixture at Dromahane on 22nd May, 2016, but was withdrawn by order of the Acting Stewards as the Turf Club Veterinary Surgeon on duty, Mr. Andrew Tyrrell, was unable to positively identify the animal from the passport documentation presented.
Evidence was heard from Mr. Gordon M. Doyle, Handler, who explained the background to the mistaken identity. Evidence was also heard from Mr. Andrew Tyrrell, Turf Club Veterinary Officer. The Committee considered a DNA parentage test report and markings certificates obtained from Weatherbys Ireland Laboratories for “Eddies Miracle” and an unnamed (2008) gelding by Beat of Drums (GB) ex Ballinamona Gold. The Committee also considered a request from Andrew Coonan representing the owner, Mr. Peter Aspel, if a fresh DNA parentage test report and set of markings could be obtained to clarify for Mr. Aspel the identity of the animal now in his care. The Committee explained that Mr. Aspel was free to do as he so wished but the referral hearing would proceed based upon the documentary evidence presented for the case.
The Committee, having considered the evidence, noted that the animal produced to run as “Eddies Miracle” (2012) gelding by Primary (USA) ex Clomore, at the Duhallow (F) Kanturk Point to Point fixture at Dromahane on 22nd May, 2016, was in fact an unnamed (2008) gelding by Beat of Drums (GB) ex Ballinamona Gold. They were satisfied that Mr. Doyle had failed to identify the animal in his care as required under the provisions of Regulation R8.
The Committee were also satisfied that Mr. Doyle was guilty of an error of judgement for failing to produce the correct animal to run at the Duhallow (F) Kanturk Point to Point fixture at Dromahane on 22nd May, 2016, and fined him €350. The Committee took into account that it was Mr. Doyle’s first offence of this nature under the Rules of Racing / Regulations for Point to Point Steeplechases as a handler / trainer. They noted that he had since purchased a microchip reader and strongly recommended that all Handlers and Licensed Trainers should have access to a microchip reader to identify clearly horses in their care prior to running.
Weatherbys Ireland Laboratories on 27th September, 2016, reported that the fresh DNA parentage test report and markings taken at Mr. Aspel’s premises on 15th and 16th September, 2016, by his Veterinary Surgeon, confirmed their initial findings. The name “Eddies Miracle” should now be registered to the (2008) gelding by Beat of Drums (GB) ex Ballinamona Gold and not to the (2012) gelding by Primary (USA) ex Clomore.
The case was presented to the Committee by Mr. Paul Murtagh, Turf Club Official. Mr Andrew Coonan, of Coonan Cawley Solicitors Naas, represented the owner Mr. Peter Aspel.