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The Appeals Body, Mr N B Wachman (Chairman), Mr Anthony Byrne and Mr John Murphy convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Tuesday, 12 August to consider the appeal of Liam McKenna (Rider) against the decision of the Raceday Stewards at Galway on 3 August 2025.
On the day, following the running of the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, the Raceday Stewards found Mr McKenna, rider of Battle of Ridgeway, in breach of Rule 214, in that he had ridden carelessly, and having considered his record in this regard (third offence), the Raceday Stewards suspended him for eight racedays.
The grounds of appeal lodged by Mr McKenna was that general bunching took place however, he did not cause interference.
At the appeal hearing, evidence was heard from Mr McKenna. The Appeals Body also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr McKenna stated that having cleared the hurdle passed the stands he gradually made his way towards the rail. Mr McKenna said that he was not aware of any interference at any point and that at no point did he feel there was a need for him to correct his mount. Mr McKenna added that he felt the incident was a result of general bunching but not the cause of his mount or anything he had done.
Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body allowed the appeal believing that the interference that occurred was not as a result of careless riding by Mr McKenna.
The appeal was presented by Mr Andrew Coonan, Coonan Cawley Solicitors on behalf of Mr McKenna. The IHRB was represented by Ms Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity and Mr Leighton Aspell, IHRB Stipendiary Steward.