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The Appeals Body, Mr Justice Frank Clarke (Chair), Mr Victor Connolly and Mr Noel McCaffrey convened at the offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Tuesday 13 January 2026 to consider the appeal of Gary Noonan (Rider) against the decision of the Raceday Stewards at Limerick on 28 December 2025.
On the day, following the running of the D Pack Packaging Handicap Hurdle, the Raceday Stewards found Mr Noonan in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having considered his record in this regard (second offence) and the severe nature of the incident the Raceday Stewards suspended Mr Noonan for 12 racedays.
The grounds of appeal lodged by Mr Noonan was against the severity of the sanction imposed.
At the appeal hearing, evidence was heard from Mr Noonan. The Appeals Body also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr Noonan stated that his mount has a tendency to go right and that was why he had his whip in his right hand despite being on a righthanded track. Mr Noonan added that his mount jumped right at the second last hurdle but then drifted left towards the other horse but it felt like he stumbled before the two horses made contact. Mr Noonan added that he felt it looked more serious than it actually was.
Having considered the evidence and submissions made by Mr Andrew Coonan on behalf of Mr Noonan and Ms Christine Traynor, the Appeals Body noted that the appeal was confined to sanction only and that an uplift beyond the guideline entry point for a second offence of careless riding was accepted as appropriate. The Appeals Body found the incident to be serious, having regard to the prolonged and significant drift of the horse, the absence of any meaningful attempt by the rider to correct that drift, and the clear and foreseeable risk of interference; it was not satisfied that any stumble or ground conditions were a material factor. The Appeals Body reaffirmed that the degree of carelessness, rather than the outcome of the incident, is the primary consideration in determining sanction. While the penalty imposed was at the upper end of the available range, they were satisfied it was within that range and, accordingly, dismissed the appeal, confirmed the sanction, and ordered forfeiture of the appeal deposit.
The case was presented by Mr Andrew Coonan, Coonan Cawley Solicitors on behalf of Mr Noonan. The IHRB was represented by Ms Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity.
Suspension Dates: 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31 January and 1, 2 February 2026