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The Appeals Body, Mr Nick Wachman (Chair), Mr Anthony Byrne and Mr Michael Hickey convened at the offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Tuesday, 1 September to consider the appeal of Danny Gilligan (Rider) against the decision of the Raceday Stewards at Kilbeggan on 21 August 2026.
On the day, following the running of the Follow Kilbeggan On Instagram Novice Hurdle, the Raceday Stewards found Mr Gilligan, rider of Rosie’s Wings, in breach of Regulation 10.3(i) in that he failed to give his mount time to respond. Having considered his record in this regard (third offence) they suspended Mr Gilligan for eight racedays.
The grounds of appeal lodged by Mr Gilligan were that the Raceday Stewards erred in their decision.
At the appeal hearing evidence was heard from Mr Gilligan. The panel also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr Gilligan stated the purpose of the appeal was to concentrate solely on what the Raceday Stewards deemed to be his first use of the whip. Mr Gilligan explained he did not make contact initially as he was just waving his whip and did not make contact. Mr Gilligan outlined that he was fully cognisant of the rules and stated that his first use was less than two strides after the alleged first use and suggested if he had made contact on both occasions, he would have become unbalanced.
Having considered the evidence the Appeals Body allowed the appeal as on the balance of probabilities they could not be satisfied that he had made contact on the first occasion.
The appeal was presented by Mr Patrick Kennedy, Patrick J O’Meara & Co Solicitors on behalf of Mr Gilligan. The IHRB was represented by Ms Michelle Byrne, Racing Regulation and Integrity and Mr Leighton Aspell, IHRB Stipendiary Steward.