The Appeals Body (Division 2) Mr. Paul F. Ronan (in the chair), Mrs. J.O. Onions and Mr. Con O’Mahony convened at Tipperary Racecourse on Thursday 1st July 2021 to consider the appeal of R. Blackmore (Rider) against the decision of the Stewards at Wexford on 2nd June 2021.
On the day, following the running of the visitwexford.ie Maiden Hurdle, the Stewards found Ms. Blackmore , rider of Leac An Scail Lady, in breach of Rule 214 in that she had ridden carelessly and having considered her record suspended her for two racedays.
The grounds of appeal lodged by Ms. Blackmore was that the Stewards on the day erred in their decision.
At the Appeal Hearing, evidence was heard from Ms. Blackmore and the committee also watched a recording of the race.
In her evidence, Ms. Blackmore stated that her mount, Leac An Scail Lady, drifted left in the concluding stages of the race but that the contact made with Night Combat, ridden by Eoin Walsh, was extremely minimal. It was in her opinion that the incident happened very quickly and the movement of Risk Factor, ridden by JJ Slevin, had created a sandwich effect. She said that the incident was of accidental in nature and not careless. Ms. Blackmore accepted that her mount did drift left but as soon as this occurred that she put both her hands on the reins and was in turn pushed out right due to the sandwich effect caused by Risk Factor.
Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body were satisfied that the Stewards did not err in their decision on the day and Ms. Blackmore was in breach of Rule 214 in that she had ridden carelessly and they confirmed her suspension of two racedays.
The case was presented by Mr. Liam Walsh, Stipendiary Steward and Rachael Blackmore was represent by Patrick Kennedy, Solicitor of Patrick J. O’Meara & Co., Solicitors Thurles.
Suspension Dates: 6th & 9th July