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The Appeals Body, Mr Martin P O’Donnell (Chairman), Mr John Murphy and Mr Anthony Byrne convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Wednesday, 18 June 2025 to consider the appeal of Robert Whearty (Rider) against the decision of the Raceday Stewards at Navan on 7 June 2025.
On the day, following the running of The Navan Racing Festival Early Bird Handicap, the Raceday Stewards found Mr Whearty, rider of Little Queenie, in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having considered his record in this regard (second offence), the Raceday Stewards suspended him for four racedays.
The grounds of the appeal lodged by Mr Whearty were that the Raceday Stewards erred in their decision on the day.
Evidence was given by Mr Whearty and Mr Niall McCullagh, Jockey Coach. The Appeals Body also watched a recording of the race. In his evidence, Mr Whearty accepted there was interference when his mount Little Queenie drifted right three to four strides from the finish line. However, Mr Whearty stated that, in his opinion, he had taken all reasonable steps to correct his mount, by applying pressure to the left rein and holding his whip in his right hand throughout the closing stages.
Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body allowed the appeal believing the interference which occurred was accidental and did not arise from inattention or misjudgement.
The case was presented by Mr Whearty, accompanied by Mr Niall McCullagh, Jockey Coach. The IHRB was represented by Ms Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity and Mr Leighton Aspell, IHRB Stipendiary Steward.