McManus horse banned for 42 days

JP McManus’s Fahamore who finished fourth in the beginners’ chase that started off the day’s racing at Down Royal, was subsequently banned for 42 days by the stewards.

The six-year-old gelding’s trainer Eddie Harty was fined €1,000 for being in breach of Rule 212 while jockey Niall Madden received a seven-day suspension for a breach of the same rule, and he was ordered to forfeit his riding fee.

The horse was beaten 19.5 lengths into fourth by Leish Oscar The comments in-running read ‘held up, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression before 3 out, left poor 4th 2 out, kept on one pace’.

The stewards report is below.

The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Fahamore (GB), ridden by N.P. Madden, and trained by Edward P.Harty. Evidence was heard from the trainer and rider concerned. Edward P. Harty, trainer, stated that he instructed the rider to give his mount a chance early on as he had not run since May, get him jumping, creep into the race and don't knock him about as he had encountered training problems with his stifles. He added that his charge made a slight mistake at the fourth last fence and lost his chance which he failed to regain. The exit of three runners at the second last fence left him in fourth place and he ran on in the latter stages without looking like reaching third place. He felt that his charge would improve a little for todays run and he had a respectable blow post race. He expressed his satisfaction with the ride. N.P. Madden, rider, confirmed the trainers instructions and added that he was in contention racing to the fourth last fence but having corrected him on the approach to it, he lost ground and with the front runners quickening at that point his own mount was flat footed and he just pushed him along from that point without hitting him. He added that his mount took a blow at the fourth last fence but galloped on in the closing stages without being able to pass the third placed horse. He felt that he rode to his strongest ability and within his riding instructions. The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer who stated that Fahamore (GB) was post race normal. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that Edward P. Harty and N.P. Madden were in breach of Rule 212. They fined Edward P. Harty €1,000 and suspended Fahamore (GB) for 42 days. They also suspended N.P. Madden for 7 race days and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee.