The Referrals Committee, Robert Dore (in the chair), Laurence McFerran and Mrs. J.O. Onions met at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) on Thursday 8th March 2018 to consider the objection of Cliodhna Guy, Head of Legal, Compliance and Licensing to the placing gained by Hello Sweetie (GB) in the P. & D. Lydon Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe on 29th August 2017.
The objection was made under the provisions of Rule 262 (v)(h) as the horse was ineligible to be entered or run in any race at the time as she had been vaccinated on 26th August 2017 (3 days before the Ballinrobe race). Under Rule 87 (vii) (a), a horse is not qualified to start for any race if it has been vaccinated or revaccinated on a date less than 7 days previous to the race. On the day of the Ballinrobe race, there was no entry for the vaccination given on 26th August 2017 on Hello Sweetie’s (GB) passport and the entry was made subsequent to the race.
Evidence was heard from P.E. Collins. The Committee also noted the entries on the passport of Hello Sweetie (GB).
In his evidence P.E. Collins said that he accepted he was in breach of the rule and that he inadvertently ran Hello Sweetie (GB) when she wasn’t qualified to run.
Having considered the evidence the Referrals Committee upheld the objection and disqualified Hello Sweetie (GB) from fourth place.
The result now reads: -
1st Getoutwhenyoucan
2nd Stormey
3rd Banjo
4th Baby Bellini
5th Black Zero
They also cautioned P.E. Collins for the breach of Rule 87(vii)(a) and ordered that he make a contribution of €150 towards the IHRB’s costs.
The case was presented by Cliodhna Guy, Head of Legal, Compliance and Licensing.