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The Referrals Committee, Mr Michael Hickey (Chair), Mr Noel McCaffrey and Mr Jack Rearden convened at the offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Thursday, 11 December to consider the referral of Jack Cleary (Rider) by an IHRB Senior Racing Official following the running of the Book Online Apprentice Handicap in Dundalk on Friday, 14 November 2025.
On the day, the Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident turning into the home straight involving Aurora’s Beauty, ridden by Mr Cleary, Just Another Eagle ridden by R Donaghue-Leahy and Blathnaid ridden by Eryka Snioch. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards took no further action.
The request of the Senior Racing Official to the Referrals Committee to review the incident under the provisions of Rule 27 was to consider whether a breach of Rule 214 occurred.
At the referral hearing, evidence was heard from Mr Cleary, Robyn Donaghue-Leahy and Eryka Snioch via Zoom. The Referrals Committee also watched a recording of the race.
In her evidence, Ms Donaghue-Leahy stated that she was racing beside Ms Snioch and Mr Cleary arrived on her outside. Ms Donaghue-Leahy was satisfied that at this point there was plenty of room for all three horses but as they rounded the bend, she received slight pressure from her outside. Ms Donaghue-Leahy explained the incident happened very quickly but that she did give a shout before getting tightened and her mount falling. Furthermore Ms Donaghue-Leahy confirmed she was of the view that her mount had suffered no interference from the horse on her inside.
In her evidence, Ms Snioch explained that her intention was to remain on the rail and she maintained her racing line throughout the race. Ms Snioch described hearing a shout from Ms Donaghue-Leahy and shortly afterwards Mr Cleary was upsides her.
In his evidence, Mr Cleary stated that he was travelling three wide on the outside and was aware of Ms Donaghue-Leahy travelling ahead of him going around the bend. Mr Cleary accepted that he was half a length down on Ms Donaghue-Leahy but stated that he did not hear a shout and he was not aware of any pressure coming from his inside and was satisfied that his riding had not contributed to the incident.
Having considered the evidence and given the seriousness of the incident, the Referrals Committee were satisfied that Mr Cleary was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly. Having considered Mr Cleary’s clean record in this regard they suspended him for six racedays.
The IHRB was represented by Ms Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity and Mr Liam Walsh Senior Stipendiary Steward. Mr Cleary was accompanied by Mr Michael Cleary.
Suspension Dates: 9, 13, 16, 23, 28, 30 January