Denis Hogan in trouble with Stewards© Photo Healy Racing
Denis Hogan found himself in hot water with the stewards at Limerick this evening after the run of Norah Starr in the 1m3f handicap.
Hogan's mount kept on under tender handling to finish mid-division after racing in rear for most.
The filly was banned for 60 days under the 'non-trier' rule while Hogan got a 14-day riding ban and a €1,000 fine as trainer.
The following is the official Turf Club enquiry into the race:-
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Norah Starr, ridden and trained by DG Hogan. Evidence was heard from the rider/trainer concerned.
DG Hogan stated that his intention was to jump out well as filly likes to be handy, and ride the race as it happened to finish as best he could. However, he explained the filly was slowly away, and he couldn’t believe the speed the field were travelling and he was unable to go the early pace. He said the filly was on her head from early, and he was niggling her all the way. Turning into the straight, he felt there was a wall of horses in front of him and he had nowhere to go and he pushed out the filly hands and heels as strong as he could when he got the gaps and he felt he had achieved his best possible placing.
He added that this was his first ride on the flat this season and he had to sweat to do 9-7 in a later race and as a result he may not have been at his sharpest. He said the filly is fit from hurdling and thought the ground rode a little dead for his mount.
He concluded by saying in hindsight other than hit the filly with his whip, which he saw no reason to in this case, he wouldn’t have ridden any differently.
The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer who stated that Norah Starr was clinically normal post race.
Having viewed the video of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion DG Hogan was in breach of Rule 212 (a) and 212 (a) (i) and consequently they suspended Norah Starr from running for 60 days, they fined DG Hogan €1000, suspended him for riding for 14 days and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee.
