The Appeals Body (Division 2) Mr. Justice Tony Hunt (in the chair), Mr. Jack Rearden and Mr. Laurence McFerran convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Tuesday 4th October 2022 to consider the appeal of Ronan Whelan (Rider) against the decision of the Stewards at Listowel on 22nd September 2022.
On the day, following the running of the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Handicap, the Stewards found Mr. Whelan, rider of Riyami, in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having considered his record in this regard they suspended him for two racedays.
The grounds of appeal lodged by Mr. Whelan was that the Stewards on the day erred in their decision.
At the Appeal Hearing, evidence was heard from Mr. Whelan and the committee also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr. Whelan stated that his horse was quite immature, and he was very keen. He explained that his mount was having just the fourth run of his career, his first run in a handicap and it was also his first run in over four months. Mr. Whelan did not dispute that his horse jinked but felt that this was a result of the horse on his inside which shifted out slightly and had previously given his mount two bumps. Mr. Whelan suggested that the incident was a result of his mount running green and jinking to his right slightly at the same time as Mr. Dylan Browne McMonagle’s mount, Observing, moved slightly left. Mr. Whelan stated that he corrected his mount immediately.
Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body allowed the appeal as they felt the incident was accidental in nature.
The case was presented by Mr. Michael Daly, IHRB Regulatory Legal Advisor.