Jockey appeals heard today Four jockeys had appeals heard by the Turf Club today and reports from these hearings can be found below. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Pat Smullen Appeal – Dundalk 16th April 2014 The Appeals Body (Division One), Patrick Reidy (in the Chair), Peter Reynolds and N.B. Wachman met at the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare on Friday, 25th April 2014 to consider an appeal from Pat Smullen, rider, against the severity of the Stewards at Dundalk on 16th April 2014. On that date the Stewards found the rider to be in breach of Rule 214 as he had ridden carelessly on Hellenistic (USA) during the running of the Dundalk Racecourse of the Year Handicap. As a result he was suspended for two race days. Evidence was heard from Pat Smullen and from Dermot Weld, trainer of Hellenistic (USA). In his evidence Pat Smullen accepted that he was in breach of Rule 214. He said he was riding a filly that was having only her fourth run which was her first run in a handicap. He said he was unable to use his whip in his right hand with the result that his filly went right three strides from the finishing line as a result of him using the whip in his left hand. He said he had no time to take corrective action. He went on to say that the horse on the outside also caused some interference prior to the incident occurring which didn’t help. In his evidence, Dermot Weld referred to an injury that the filly received as a yearling which may have contributed to her swerving as violently as she did. He said she was pinfired for sore shins and that in his view that was a contributory factor. He also submitted photographs of the injury. Having considered the evidence the Appeals Body dismissed the appeal and ordered that the appeal deposit be forfeited. The case was presented by Paul Murtagh, Turf Club Stipendiary Steward. Pat Smullen was represented by Andrew Coonan, Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, Co. Kildare. Date: 25th April 2014 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ * Ian McCarthy Appeal - Tramore 13th April, 2014 The Appeals Body (Division One), Patrick Reidy (in the Chair), Peter Reynolds and N.B. Wachman met at the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, on Friday 25th April, 2014, to consider an appeal from Ian McCarthy, rider, against the severity of the penalty imposed by the Stewards at Tramore on 13th April 2014. On that date the Stewards found the rider to be in breach of Rules 208(i)(a) and (ii)(f) in that he had disobeyed the starter’s instructions by coming forward without being instructed to do so prior to the running of the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Steeplechase. As a result he was suspended for four race days. Evidence was heard from Ian McCarthy, who accepted he was in breach of the rules. He said he could not hear the starter’s instructions due to the noise levels. He said he followed the riders in front when they took off. The Appeals Body considered a number of submissions made by Andrew Coonan, solicitor acting on behalf of Ian McCarthy, on the severity of the penalty imposed. Mr. Coonan also made reference to Ian McCarthy’s disciplinary record. Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body allowed the appeal and reduced the suspension to 3 race days in view of the rider’s record and the way he met the case. The case was presented by Paul Murtagh, Turf Club Stipendiary Steward. Ian McCarthy was represented by Andrew Coonan, Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, Co. Kildare. Date: 25th April 2014 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Colin Keane Appeal - Navan 12th April, 2014 The Appeals Body (Division One), Patrick Reidy (in the Chair), Peter Reynolds and N.B. Wachman met at the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, on Friday 25th April, 2014, to consider an appeal from Colin Keane, rider, against the decision of the Stewards at Navan on 12th April, 2014. On that date the Stewards found the rider to be in breach of Rule 231 in that he weighed in 1.7lbs overweight following the running of the €20 Family Ticket for May 18th Family Day Fillies Maiden. As a result he was suspended for one race day. The rider’s grounds of appeal were that the trainer (Tom McCourt) for whom he rode changed his girth for a heavier girth without his knowledge or consent. Evidence was heard from Colin Keane and Tom McCourt. In his evidence Colin Keane outlined what occurred. He said he was unaware that Tom McCourt had changed the girths after he weighed out. In his evidence, Tom McCourt accepted he changed the girths with no reference to the rider. He said he went to the jockey’s room and was handed a girth by the rider’s valet which he now knows was heavier than the original girth. Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body found that Colin Keane was in breach of Rule 231(iii) as he weighed in overweight. However, taking into account the background to what occurred, the Appeals Body reduced the penalty imposed from 1 day to a severe caution. The case was presented by Paul Murtagh, Turf Club Stipendiary Steward. Colin Keane was represented by Andrew Coonan, Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, Co. Kildare. Date: 25th April 2014 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * David Splaine Appeal - Tramore 13th April, 2014 The Appeals Body (Division One), Patrick Reidy (in the Chair), Peter Reynolds and N.B. Wachman met at the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, on Friday 25th April, 2014, to consider an appeal from David Splaine, rider, against the severity of the penalty imposed by the Stewards at Tramore on 13th April 2014. On that date the Stewards found the rider to be in breach of Rules 208(i)(a) and (ii)(f) in that he had disobeyed the starter’s instructions by coming forward without being instructed to do so prior to the running of the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Steeplechase. As a result he was suspended for four race days. Evidence was heard from David Splaine, who said he had difficulty in hearing the starter. He said he thought the race was ready to start and he followed the other riders when they came forward. He said he accepted he was in breach of the rules. The Appeals Body considered a number of submissions from Andrew Coonan, solicitor acting on behalf of David Splaine, in relation to the severity of the penalty. They also considered the rider’s disciplinary record. Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body allowed the appeal and reduced the suspension to two race days. In reducing the penalty the Appeals Body accepted that the rider made an effort to stop his horse before he reached the marker poles when he realised the race wasn’t going to start. The case was presented by Paul Murtagh, Turf Club Stipendiary Steward. David Splaine was represented by Andrew Coonan, Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, Co. Kildare. Date: 25th April 2014
