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The Referrals Committee, 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 referral of Sam Ewing (Rider) by an IHRB Senior Racing Official following receipt of a veterinary report at Sligo on 30 September 2026.
On the day, following the running of the Brenda Anderson Memorial Handicap Steeplechase, the Raceday Stewards interviewed Mr Ewing, rider of Mobile Mamma, regarding his use of the whip at the start of the race and having considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards took no further action. Subsequent to the hearing being concluded, the Raceday Stewards were made aware of further details which may have had a bearing on their findings and referred the matter to a Senior Racing Official for further investigation.
At the referral hearing, a submission was presented on behalf of the IHRB Veterinary Officer that was on duty at Sligo and evidence was heard from Mr Ewing.
In his evidence, Mr Ewing accepted the evidence provided by the IHRB Veterinary Officer and accepted that he was in breach of Regulation 10.3(f) in that he had used his whip with excessive force. He added that this was the first time he had breached the whip rules with regards to excessive force and he apologised for his actions.
Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee found Mr Ewing in breach of Regulation 10.3(f) in that he had used his whip with excessive force and they suspended him for two racedays.
The case was presented by Ms Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity.
Suspension Dates: 23 and 24 October