The Appeals Body (Division 2) Mr. Sean Barry (in the chair), Mr. Julian Gaisford-St. Laurence and Mr. John McStay convened at Naas Racecourse on Wednesday 23rd June 2021 to consider the appeal of Hugh Morgan (Rider) against the decision of the Stewards at Downpatrick on Saturday 12th June 2021.
On the day, following the running of the Virtual Live Racing Handicap Chase, the Stewards found Mr. Morgan, rider of Pat Coyne, in breach of Regulation 10.3(g) in that he used his whip with excessive frequency and having considered his record suspended him for three racedays.
The grounds of appeal lodged by Mr. Morgan were that he had used his whip on at least one occasion for corrective purposes.
At the Appeal Hearing, evidence was heard from Mr. Morgan. The committee also watched a recording of the race.
In his evidence, Mr. Morgan stated that his mount was an experienced handicap chaser who he was riding for the first time but had been well briefed about by Mr. Queally, the trainer of Pat Coyne. He said that his mount was wearing cheek-pieces and Mr. Queally had given the instructions to keep the horse in the company of other horses to help him concentrate. Mr. Morgan explained that his horse pecked on landing after the second last fence and then jumped left at the last fence. As well as jumping left at the last fence, Mr. Morgan stated that he was concerned that with the lay-out of the track at Downpatrick that he needed to use his whip in the first instance to correct his mount to get him back on a straight line and that was the corrective measure to prevent his mount from continuing left.
Having considered the evidence, the Appeals Body were satisfied that Mr. Morgan was in breach of Regulation 10.3(g) in that, he had used his whip with excessive frequency and therefore dismissed the appeal.
The case was presented by Mr. Liam Walsh, Stipendiary Steward and Mr. Morgan was represented by Mr. Andrew Coonan of Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, County Kildare.