The Referrals Committee, Mr. Sean Barry (in the chair), Mr. Laurence McFerran and Mr. Philip Caffrey met at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) The Curragh, Co. Kildare on Thursday 13th December 2018, to consider whether or not James M. Barrett, Trainer was in breach of any rules as a result of a failure to make returns in respect of the Stable Employee Bonus Scheme as required under Rule 298.

The trainer Mr. Barrett was in attendance and accepted he was in breach of Rule 298 in failing to submit the returns by the required date or to respond to the reminders issued subsequently. In his evidence he advised that he had forgotten to make the returns as required and acknowledged that it was a responsibility under his licence to ensure the Rules were complied with.

Having considered the evidence, the Committee noted Mr. Barrett had accepted the breach and that there was only one member of staff in the yard. They informed him that the returns must be made within 7 days of the hearing date and imposed a fine of €130 in respect of the breach. They also cautioned him to his future behaviour.

The case was presented by Ms. Cliodhna Guy, Head of Legal & Compliance & Licensing.