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The Referrals Committee, Mr Justice Frank Clarke (Chair), Mr Michael Sheahan and Mr Marcus Magnier convened at the offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board to consider a referral from an IHRB Senior Racing Official in relation to the identification of Time for Talking, trained by Richard Hennessy, who was due to run in the Killarney Avenue Hotel Maiden on 9 May at Killarney.
On the day, the Raceday Stewards received a report from Ms Nicola O’Connor, IHRB Veterinary Officer, that she was unable to positively identify Time For Talking as she could not find the microchip. It was stated by Mr Hennessy that he had bred the horse and he accepted that while the IHRB Veterinary Officer was sure that it was the correct animal, the microchip could not be located. The Raceday Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Time For Talking in accordance with Rule 90(iii) and referred the matter to a Senior Racing Official.
At the Referral Hearing, the committee considered submissions from Mr Hennessy.
In his submission, Mr Hennessy accepted that he was in breach of the Rules and confirmed that a new microchip was inserted and successfully read by an IHRB Veterinary Officer at Ballinrobe on 25 May 2026
Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee were satisfied that Mr Hennessy was in breach of Rule 90(iii) and taking account of Mr Hennessy’s acceptance of the breach and confirmation that the issue has been rectified they imposed a fine of €500.
The case was presented by Ms Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity.