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The Referrals Committee, 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 referral of Mr Declan Queally (Rider) by an IHRB Senior Racing Official following the running of the Electric Galway Irish EBF Mares Flat Race at Galway on Saturday, 1 August 2026.
On review of the race by a Senior Racing Official, it appeared that Mr Queally, rider of Sarahs Lawn, may have been in breach of Regulation 10 regarding his use of the whip in the closing stages of the race.
At the referral hearing, evidence was heard from Mr Queally. The Referrals Committee also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr Queally accepted he was in breach of Regulation 10 in the closing stages of the race and apologised for his actions.
Having considered the evidence the Referrals Committee found Mr Queally in breach of Regulation 10.3(g), in that he had used his whip with excessive frequency, and having considered Mr Queally’s record in this regard (second offence) the Referrals Committee suspended him for six racedays.
The case was presented by Ms Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity and Mr Leighton Aspell, IHRB Stipendiary Steward.
Suspension dates: 26, 28, 31 August and 3, 4 and 7 September