The Appeals Body, Mr Martin P. O’Donnell (Chairman), Mr Anthony Byrne and Mr John Murphy convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Monday, 28 April 2025 to consider the appeal of Mr Patrick A King (Rider) against the decision of the Raceday Stewards at Tramore on 14 April 2025.
On the day, following the running of the Gaultier Hunters Steeplechase, the Raceday Stewards found Mr King, rider of Revolut Ned, in breach of Rule 212(iv)(a) in that he failed to obtain his best possible placing as a result of misjudgement and having considered his clean record in this regard, the Raceday Stewards suspended him for five racedays.
The grounds of the appeal lodged by Mr King were that while accepting that he mistook the winning post his mount was tiring and was passed by a fast-finishing horse and that his error did not cause him to lose second place.
At the appeal hearing, evidence was heard from Mr King and Mr William P Murphy, Trainer of Revolut Ned. The Appeals Body also watched relevant recordings of the race.
In his evidence Mr King stated that he sat up for a few strides and then quickly continued to ride out to the line and believed this mistake did not cost him a placing. Mr King explained that the horse had previously not finished out his races and added that his mount had recently had wind surgery.
In his evidence, Mr Murphy explained he trained this horse for three years and the horse had undergone its second wind surgery recently. Mr Murphy said in his opinion and with the benefit of hindsight the horse may have needed another week before running. Mr Murphy stated he was typically a weak finisher and that they had changed tactics for this race to ride him more prominently.
Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body dismissed the appeal and confirmed the decision of the Raceday Stewards.
The Appeal was presented by Mr Andrew Coonan of Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, County Kildare on behalf of Mr King. The IHRB was represented by Ms Louise Troy BL instructed by Christine Traynor Head of Racing Regulation & Integrity and Mr Andrew Ring, IHRB Stipendiary Steward.