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The Appeals Body Mr N B Wachman, (Chairman), Mr Anthony Byrne, and Mr Martin P O’Donnell convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Tuesday, 9 September to consider the appeal of Declan McDonogh (Rider) against the decision of the Raceday Stewards at Tipperary on 31 August 2025.
On the day, following the running of the Coolmore No Nay Never Fairy Bridge Stakes, the Raceday Stewards found Mr McDonogh, rider of Mataariki (FR) in breach of Rule 214, in that he had ridden carelessly and having considered his record in this regard (second offence), the Raceday Stewards suspended him for seven racedays.
The grounds of appeal lodged by Mr McDonogh was against the severity of the suspension.
At the appeal hearing, evidence was heard from Mr McDonogh. The Appeals Body also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr McDonogh explained that due to deteriorating ground conditions he wanted to come up the stand side of the track in the straight and he expressed this to Jack Kearney, rider of Chantez, on his outside on two occasions. Mr McDonogh accepted that the move took the Riders behind him by surprise, but he added that it is common that horses come up the stand side in Tipperary as the ground gets softer. Mr McDonogh accepted that it was careless on his behalf but that he is very conscious of safety and his previous exemplary record proves that point with only one previous offence in approximately 2,400 rides over the last six years in a number of different jurisdictions.
Having reviewed the race footage and having considered the evidence and submissions made by Mr McDonogh, the Appeals Body upheld the decision of the Raceday Stewards to find Mr McDonogh in breach of Rule 214 and suspended him for seven racedays.
The appeal was presented by Mr McDonogh. The IHRB was represented by Ms Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity and Mr Leighton Aspell, IHRB Stipendiary Steward.
Suspension Dates: 14, 16, 18, 19, 20 and 22 September