The Appeals Body (Division One), John Buckley (in the Chair), Mrs. T.K. Cooper and J.R. Craigie met at the Stewards Room, Punchestown Racecourse, Co. Kildare on Wednesday 4th June, 2014 to consider an appeal from Roger Loughran, rider, against the decision of the Stewards at Punchestown on 17th May 2014.  On that date the Stewards found the rider to be in breach of Rule 272 for giving misleading evidence at an enquiry following the running of the Musgrave Supervalu Supporting Kildare Maiden Hurdle.  As a result he was suspended for one race day. 

The rider’s grounds of appeal was that he was not in breach of Rule 272  in that he did not knowingly attempt to mislead the Stewards in giving evidence.

Evidence was heard from Roger Loughran.  Film of the race was also reviewed.

In his evidence Roger Loughran outlined what had happened which caused him to snatch up during the race.  He said that as the horses approached the bend he checked his mount’s head as a result of the animal changing his legs and that his horse did not clip a heel.  He accepted that he received some pressure from the outside but said that was not the reason for what occurred.  His solicitor pointed out a number of places on the enquiry transcript where Mr. Loughran had made this point and said that there were no grounds for a conviction under Rule 272.

Having considered the evidence the Appeals Body allowed the appeal.  In arriving at their decision they noted that while they did not feel the evidence given was misleading it was nonetheless confusing.

The case was presented by Paul Murtagh, Turf Club Stipendiary Steward.  Roger Loughran was represented by Andrew Coonan, Coonan Cawley, solicitors, Naas, Co. Kildare.