Massive fine and bans at Clonmel yesterday The Clonmel stewards took a very dim view of the running and riding of Mount Ferns, who finished sixth in the SIS Supporting Irish Racing Novice Handicap Chase, handing out a €6,000 fine to trainer Eric McNamara and a 40-day riding ban to his son Conor as well as suspending the horse from running for 90 days. The full text of the IHRB report is as follows: The Raceday Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Mount Ferns, ridden by C.P. McNamara, and trained by E. McNamara. Evidence was heard from the rider and David O'Riordan, Authorised Representative, who said the instructions were to jump of mid division and to come with a late run. He added he was satisfied with the ride as the horse was hanging badly right. C.P. McNamara confirmed the instructions given and said he was generally happy with the way the race went however his mount started hanging badly going down the hill and turning into the straight. He elaborated that the horse was extremely difficult to ride at this point and he could not even ride the horse out to the line. He concluded by saying he had forgotten to make a report at scales that the horse was hanging. The Raceday Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who stated that the animal was post race normal. Samples were taken for further analysis. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that both rider and trainer were in breach of Rule 212A(i) by deliberately or recklessly causing or permitting a horse to run other than on its merits. As a consequence, they suspended C.P. McNamara for 40 racedays, ordered that he forfeit his riding fee and fined E. McNamara €6000 in accordance with the guidelines and having taken their clean records into account. Furthermore, they suspended Mount Ferns from running for 90 days under the provisions of Rule 212C(D).
