Foley Referral dismissed The Referrals Committee of the Turf Club held an inquiry today into the application by Denis Egan, Keeper Of The Matchbook and CEO of the Turf Club, that the 5-days suspension handed out to jockey Shane Foley by the Dundalk stewards on 22nd November after his winning ride on Rummaging may have been too lenient. Turf Club Statement:The Referrals Committee Sean Barry (in the chair), Philip Caffrey and Laurence McFerran met at the Steward’s Room, the Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare on Wednesday, 11th December 2013, to consider an application by Denis Egan, Keeper of the Matchbook, to review the penalty imposed on Shane Foley, rider, following the running of the Dundalk Light Up Your Night Handicap at Dundalk on Friday, 22nd November 2013, where he was found guilty of careless riding and suspended for five race days following his win on Rummaging. The application to review the penalty was made on the basis that the incidents which occurred were potentially serious and may warrant a stiffer penalty. The Committee considered a submission from Denis Egan as to why he felt that the penalty imposed was unduly lenient. Film of the race was also reviewed. Having considered the evidence, the Committee dismissed the application and ordered that the original penalty of five race days remain (13th, 20th, December 2013, 3rd, 10th & 17th January 2014). The case was presented by Conal Boyce, Solicitor, Naas, Co. Kildare. Shane Foley was represented by Andrew Coonan, Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, Co. Kildare. In other news, Irish born trainer Gerard Butler has lodged an appeal with the BHA regarding his recent disqualification from training for 5-years. No date has been set for the appeal and Butler will remain disqualified in the meantime.
