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The Appeals Body, Mr Nick Wachman (Chair), Mr Michael Hickey and Mr Anthony Byrne convened at the offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Friday, 9 October 2026 to consider the appeal of Rebecca Parsons (Rider) and David Marnane (Trainer) against the decision of the Raceday Stewards at Listowel on 21 September 2026.
On the day, following the running of the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden (Smullen Series), the Raceday Stewards found Ms Parsons and Mr Marnane, rider and trainer of Sonic Sabiha, in breach of Rule 212A(ii) in that there was a failure to be seen to obtain from the horse a timely, real and substantial effort to achieve the best possible place. Having considered her record in this regard (first offence), the Raceday Stewards suspended Ms Parsons for 14 racedays and ordered her to forfeit her riding fee. Having considered David Marnane’s clean record in this regard, they fined him €3,000. Furthermore, they suspended Sonic Sabiha for 60 days in accordance with the provisions of Rule 212C(d).
The grounds of appeal lodged by Ms Parsons and David Marnane were that the Raceday Stewards erred in their decision.
At the appeal hearing, evidence was heard from Mr Marnane and Ms Parsons. The panel also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr Marnane stated that his instructions to Ms Parsons on the morning of the race were to jump off, get the filly to settle and finish the race well. Mr Marnane said that the horse is inexperienced having had only two runs prior to this race and she had run keenly on her previous outing. Mr Marnane confirmed that he was happy with the ride given to Sonic Sabiha by Ms Parsons.
In her evidence, Ms Parsons confirmed the instructions given to her by Mr Marnane and that the filly was keen in her previous run. Ms Parsons outlined how her mount became anxious prior to the race and jumped up when leaving the stalls, losing a couple of lengths at the start as a result. Ms Parsons described Sonic Sabiha as relaxing at the rear while tracking the field and explained that she angled out off the rail after turning into the home straight to make her challenge and rode the filly as vigorously as she was able, but in the final stages of the race the retreating Dawnmore, ridden by Seamie Heffernan closed the gap she intended taking. Ms Parsons stated that she was then surrounded by horses, and she felt she had no choice but to take a pull to avoid clipping heels.
Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body stated that Rule 212 is a very serious rule, which goes right to the heart of the integrity of racing and that every Rider and Trainer has a responsibility to ensure that every horse is seen to have been the subject of timely, real and substantial effort to achieve the best possible place. However, taking all the circumstances of the case into account, including Ms Parsons riding style and experience, they were of the opinion that she was not in breach of Rule 212 A (ii) and they allowed her appeal. Consequently, they also allowed Mr. Marnane’s appeal.
The appeal was presented by Mr Patrick Kennedy, Patrick J O’Meara & Co Solicitors on behalf of Ms Parsons and Mr Marnane. The IHRB was represented by Mr Paul Murtagh, IHRB Head of Raceday Operations and Ms Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity.