The Referrals Committee, Mr. Peter M. Allen (Chair), Mr. Jack Rearden and Mr. Peter N. Reynolds convened at Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Monday 28th August 2023 to consider the referral of Peter Fahey, Trainer, by the Raceday Stewards at Ballinrobe on the 25th July 2023.
On the day, prior to the running of the Ballinrobe Credit Union INH Flat Race, the Raceday Stewards received a report from the IHRB Veterinary Officer, Ms. Nicola O’Conor, that she was unable to positively identify Soleil Couchant, trained by Peter Fahey, from the markings and microchip contained in the passport presented. The Raceday Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Soleil Couchant as per Rule 90(iv) and referred the matter to a Senior Racing Official for further investigation.
At the Referral Hearing, the Committee considered evidence from Mr. Fahey.
In his evidence, Mr. Fahey said that he was very familiar with this horse having been brought to see him by the owners as a foal and seeing him on a regular basis since then. Mr. Fahey accepted that he failed to microchip the horse on arrival to his yard because he was so familiar with him and knew it was the correct horse. Mr. Fahey explained that he was very surprised to receive a call from his authorised representative at Ballinrobe on the evening and investigated the matter further with the owner who informed him that the horse had an infection prior to going into training and the microchip had been replaced but not updated on his passport. Mr. Fahey accepted full responsibility for the error. Mr. Fahey informed the committee that the matter had now been rectified.
Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee were satisfied that Mr. Fahey was in breach of Rule 90(ii). Having considered Mr. Fahey’s record in this regard, the Referrals Committee imposed a fine of €500.
The case was presented by Mr. Michael Daly, IHRB Regulatory Legal Advisor.