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The Referrals Committee, Mr Justice Frank Clarke (Chair), Mr Michael Sheahan and Mr Marcus Magnier reconvened virtually on Tuesday, 7 July 2026 to consider matters arising from a Referral Committee hearing on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, involving Mr Patrick Kelly (Trainer).
The determination from the Referral Hearing on 30 June being that the panel proposed to impose a suspension of Mr Kelly's license with effect from seven days from that date, with a caveat that, in the event that Mr Kelly, within that seven days, satisfactorily engaged with the IHRB and satisfied the IHRB that the breaches have either been remedied or are in the reasonable course of being remedied, then that suspension would not come into force.
At the Referral Hearing of 7 July, submissions on behalf of the IHRB were considered.
Ms Christine Traynor, Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity outlined the circumstances since the hearing on the 30 June 2026. Ms Traynor provided details of the level of engagement, and it was confirmed that Mr Kelly had run a horse in Roscommon the previous day. It was confirmed to the Committee that an inspection was carried out on Mr Kelly’s premises on the 2 July 2026.
Dr Lesley Ferguson provided details of the unannounced inspection at Mr Kelly’s Training Establishment on Thursday 2 July and outlined the engagement with Mr Kelly, including the provision of photographs of passports and relevant matters arising at the premises. Dr Ferguson also outlined some concerns raised regarding the management of the Training Premises remain live issues.
The panel considered the engagement from Mr Kelly, contact he made with the IHRB on the day of the reconvened hearing, noting his imposition and they considered the level of mitigation including his personal circumstances.
Having considered the evidence, the submissions made on behalf of the IHRB, and the information placed before it since its determination of 30 June 2026, the Referrals Committee determined that the condition attached to its earlier decision had not been satisfied.
Accordingly, the Referrals Committee confirmed that the suspension of Mr Kelly's Trainer's Licence shall take effect immediately.
In reaching its decision, the Referrals Committee emphasised that engagement with the IHRB is a fundamental obligation of every licensed Trainer and that compliance with the Rules of Racing requires ongoing cooperation with the IHRB's regulatory processes. The Committee further noted the continuing regulatory concerns arising in this matter.
The suspension of Mr Kelly's Trainer's Licence shall remain in force until further order of the Referrals Committee.
The Referrals Committee confirmed that should Mr Kelly wish to apply for the suspension to be reviewed, he may make an application to the Referrals Committee on notice to the IHRB. Upon any such application, the Committee will require to be satisfied, on the evidence presented, that Mr Kelly has fully engaged with the IHRB, has complied with his continuing obligations under the Rules of Racing, has provided accurate and up-to-date contact information to the IHRB, and that the regulatory concerns which gave rise to the suspension have been satisfactorily addressed or are demonstrably in the course of being remedied.
The case was presented by Ms Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity.