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The Appeals Body, Mr Peter Allen (Chair), Mr Victor Connolly and Mr Anthony Byrne convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Thursday, 30 October to consider the appeal of Willie McCreery (Trainer), against the decision of the Raceday Stewards at Leopardstown on 19 October 2025 following the running of the Bahrain Turf Club October Handicap.
On the day, the Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference in the home straight involving Blake (GB), ridden by C D Hayes and trained by Noel Meade, placed second and Navy Waters, ridden by N M Crosse and trained by Willie McCreery, placed first. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that Navy Waters had caused interference to Blake and as a result of this interference had improved its finishing position. As a consequence, the Raceday Stewards reversed the placing of first and second placed horses.
The grounds of the appeal lodged by Mr McCreery were that the Raceday Stewards erred in their decision to reverse the placings.
Evidence was heard from Mr Crosse, Mr Hayes and Mr McCreery. The Appeals Body also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr Crosse, accepted that he had caused interference, but he did not feel that it had cost Mr Hayes the race. Mr Crosse explained that the field spread out as they turned for home and he had kept wide on better ground along with some other riders. Mr Crosse stated that when Navy Waters was in front she was becoming idle and he gave her a reminder and at this point the interference occurred but Mr Crosse said that in his opinion, the manner in which Navy Waters pulled away that Blake would not have won in any event given the winning distance.
In his evidence, Mr Hayes stated that he felt he received interference on multiple occasions and that it was sustained interference which prevented him from getting a clear run up the straight. Mr Hayes said that his mount was brought to a standstill, and he felt he was lucky not to come down and that loss of momentum in deep, heavy ground gave him no chance to get going again. Mr Hayes added that his mount is an out and out stayer and didn’t have time to get going again after what he described as the main interference and he felt it cost him the race.
In his evidence, Mr McCreery, described Navy Waters as a progressive filly with a lot of ability. Mr McCreery explained that he had instructed Mr Crosse to give her plenty of light as she was somewhat inexperienced in these types of races. Mr McCreery added that he felt Mr Hayes drifted in behind Navy Waters and that was a contributing factor to the interference.
Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body upheld the decision of the Raceday Stewards to reverse the placing of first and second placed horses.
Bahrain Turf Club October Handicap
First: Blake (GB)
Second: Navy Waters
Third: Teed UP
Fourth: Speckled Meadow
Fifth: Immutable
Sixth: Bottler’secret
The appeal was presented by Mr Kevin Power, Maurice Power Solicitors LLP on behalf of Mr McCreery. The IHRB was represented by Mr Paul Deegan, IHRB Stipendiary Steward and Ms Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity.