The Shunter and Brian Hayes© Photo Healy Racing
The running of fourth place finisher The Shunter in the opening MansionBet It’s Not Rocket Science Maiden Hurdle at Tipperary landed trainer Emmet Mullins, and jockey Brian Hayes, in hot water with the stewards.
The trainer, later successful on the card with the heavily-backed Pilbara (8/11 fav), ridden by Hayes, received a 6,000 Euros fine with jockey Hayes being suspended for 21 days.
The horse was also banned from competing for 60 days.
--See below
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of The Shunter, ridden by B. Hayes, and trained by Emmet Mullins.
Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned.
B. Hayes stated that he was instructed to drop his mount out last and to get his mount to relax and breathe.
He explained in detail to the Acting Stewards while the video of the race was being viewed that his mount relaxed but began to make a respiratory noise in the back straight and he gave him a chance at this point even though he wanted to be closer to the pace.
He added that he held onto his mount on the turn into the home straight and let him down gradually to finish well.
He described his mount as having choked in the closing stages but accepted that he had applied the whip close to the finish after his mount had got a second wind.
In his opinion he would have finished third if his mount had not hung in the closing stages.
He explained that he was familiar with this horse before Emmet Mullins had acquired him and his wind had always been an issue which has progressively got worse.
He had suggested to the trainer that a tongue strap should be applied to assist the horse.
Emmet Mullins confirmed the instructions and added that this horse was having his first run today under his care.
He explained that today's run was an expedition to get his charge to learn, to get him to settle and get him to race.
In his opinion his charge was fit enough to compete and felt that he was sure to improve from today.
He described the horse's past poor form and having had the horse's wind checked at a Veterinary hospital. He confirmed that he applied a cross nose band today.
He now believes that a wind operation is required but thought that his charge would benefit for faster ground conditions which would make the horse more manageable.
He confirmed that he was satisfied with the ride.
The Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who stated that The Shunter was post race normal and that samples had been taken for analysis.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that Emmet Mullins and B. Hayes were in breach of Rules 212 and 212(A)(ii).
Having taken both persons previous good records into consideration, the Stewards fined Emmet Mullins €6,000, suspended The Shunter from running for 60 days and suspended B. Hayes for 21 racedays with his riding fee to be forfeited.
B. Hayes, rider of The Shunter trained by Emmet Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung left and made a respiratory noise down the back straight
