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The Appeals Body, Mr Martin O’Donnell (Chair), Mr Noel McCaffrey and Mr Anthony Byrne convened at the offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Tuesday, 11 August to consider the appeal of Mr Danny Mullins (Rider) against the decision of the Raceday Stewards at Galway on 31 July 2026.
On the day, following the running of the Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Steeplechase, the Raceday Stewards enquired into the riders’ first approach to the Starter where it appeared all riders were cantering before the Starter had raised his flag. The Raceday Stewards found Mr Mullins, rider of Yoradreamer (GB) in breach of Rule 208, in that he had not obeyed the Starter instructions and having considered his record in this regard the Raceday Stewards suspended Mr Mullins for one raceday.
The grounds of appeal lodged by Mr Mullins was that he felt he had obeyed the instructions of the Starter instructions.
At the appeal hearing, evidence was heard from Mr Mullins. The Appeals Body also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr Mullins described how he felt he was compliant with the Starter as the riders approached the start. Mr Mullins stated that he had not gone into a canter with a view to taking an advantage and he felt he did all he could to ease his mount from a canter when the Starter gave the instruction to ease.
Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body dismissed the appeal and confirmed the sanction imposed by the Raceday Stewards on the day.
The case was presented by Mr Mullins. The IHRB was represented Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity and by Mr Leighton Aspell, IHRB Stipendiary Steward.
Suspension Date: 14 August