O'Brien and O'Donoghue face 'team tactics' inquiry

Trainer Aidan O'Brien and rider Colm O'Donoghue will have to face the disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority over a possible breach of the 'team tactics' rules in last month's Juddmonte International Stakes at Newmarket.

O'Donoghue was riding the pacemaker Red Rock Canyon in the Group One event and the BHA will look into whether he moved off the rail purposefully to help Johnny Murtagh and stablemate Duke Of Marmalade take the gap and eventually win the race.

He could be found in breach of rule 153(iv)(a) "by making a manoeuvre in the interests of a horse from the same stable."

O'Brien, the all-conquering head of the Ballydoyle stable, could fall foul of Rule 153(vi) "in that the trainer of a horse whose rider found in breach of Rule 153(iv) is deemed guilty of an offence unless he is able to satisfy the stewards that he instructed his rider to treat every other horse in the race without favour."

The inquiry is expected to take place in the week commencing September 22nd and if found guilty, O'Donoghue could get a ban with an entry point of seven days and a range of five to 10 days.

O'Brien would be handed a fine starting at #5,000 with a range of #2,000 to #10,000.

Paul Struthers, media relations manager for the BHA, said: "We have completed the review process and written to Aidan O'Brien and Colm O'Donoghue confirming that they will need to appear before the disciplinary panel in connection with a possible breach of Rule 153(iv) in the Juddmonte International.

"We are obviously conscious of the interest this will generate but, having reviewed the video and read comments attributed to Johnny Murtagh in the press, it was felt that a formal inquiry into the incident had to be held.

"This will ensure that the matter is considered thoroughly, fairly and openly.

"This is the first time we have reviewed a race for a possible breach of 'team tactics' since the rules changed in 2007 and we are satisfied that there has been no other race where an inquiry should have been held.

"I would also like to make clear that there is no possibility of the result of the Juddmonte International being affected." affected."