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The Appeals Body, Mr Martin P O’Donnell (Chairman), Mr Raymond J Mcsharry and Mr Jack Reardon convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Tuesday, 01 July 2025 to consider the appeal of Ms Michelle Shannon (Owner) against the decision of the Raceday Stewards at Down Royal, 20 June 2025.
On the day, following the running of the Laura Nicholas Handicap, the Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference at the top of the hill and rounding the home bend involving Purring Along, ridden by R P Whelan, placed first, Saxon Kingdom, ridden by G M Ryan, placed third, and Bamako, ridden by W J Lee, placed second, where it appeared that interference may have occurred. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that Purring Along had caused interference to Bamako and as a result of this interference had improved its finishing position. As a consequence, the Raceday Stewards reversed the placings and demoted Purring Along from first place to second place.
The grounds of the appeal lodged by Ms Shannon were that Purring Along did not improve her finishing position as a result of causing interference to Bamako and was the winner on merit on the day.
At the appeal hearing, evidence was heard from Mr Whelan, rider of Purring Along and Mr Lee, rider of Bamako. The Appeals Body also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence Mr Whelan stated that he received pressure from his inside and was pushed outwards. Mr Whelan did not dispute that he had caused interference but believed that the interference did not improve his finishing position and believed he was riding the best horse on the day.
In his evidence Mr Lee stated that he believed his mount received contact on three occasions from his inside. Mr Lee believed this had halted his momentum and therefore his mount had lost significant ground and that took a lot out of his horse on the day.
Having considered all the evidence presented, the Appeals Body were not satisfied that Bamako was disadvantaged enough to reverse the positions of the race and therefore the appeal was allowed and the placings amended accordingly. The results now reads as follows:-
Laura Nicholas Handicap
First: Purring Along
Second: Bamako
Third: Saxon Kingdom
Fourth: Hasiyna
Fifth: Akashaa
Sixth: Mark’s One
The appeal was presented by Mr Kevin Power of Maurice Power Solicitors, Kilmallock, County Limerick, on behalf of Ms Shannon. The IHRB was represented by Mr Andrew Ring, IHRB Stipendiary Steward instructed by Ms Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity.