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The Appeals Body, Mr Justice Tony Hunt (Chair), Mr Raymond J McSharry and Mr Victor Connolly convened at the offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Monday, 22 December to consider the appeal of Jack Cleary (Rider) against the decision of the Referrals Committee on 11 December 2025.
Following a referral of Jack Cleary to the Referrals Committee by a Senior Racing Official to consider any potential breach of Rules following the running of the Book Online Apprentice Handicap at Dundalk on Friday 14 November 2025. The Referrals Committee found Mr Cleary in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having considered his record in this regard, suspended him for six racedays.
The grounds of appeal lodged by Mr Cleary was that the Referrals Committee erred in their decision.
Evidence was heard from Mr Cleary and Wayne Lordan (Rider). The Appeals Body also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr Cleary stated that he was travelling three wide and tracking Robyn Donaghue-Leahy, rider of Just Another Eagle around the bend and his intention was to keep his filly rolling and maintain her rhythm. Mr Cleary felt that he had maintained his racing line at all times and did not make any contact or cause interference with Ms Donaghue-Leahy.
In his evidence, Mr Lordan suggested it was hard to establish from the camera angles exactly what had happened. Mr Lordan described a previous experience of clipping a front heel without any other horse or rider causing interference and in his opinion this incident may have occurred in the same way.
Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body upheld the decision of the Referrals Committee and suspended Mr Cleary for six racedays.
The appeal was presented by Mr Patrick Kennedy, Patrick J O’Meara & Co Solicitors on behalf of Mr Cleary. The IHRB was represented by Ms Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity and Mr Leighton Aspell, IHRB Stipendiary Steward.
Suspension Dates: 9, 13, 16, 23, 28, 30 January