The Stewards at The Curragh today were forced into a bizarre u-turn having suspended Ronan Whelan for three days for excessive use of his whip, despite the apprentice jockey dropping it leaving the stalls.
Whelan was riding Monivea for trainer Brian Nolan and his boss, Jim Bolger, took up his cause.
"History was made here today," said Bolger, "my apprentice got three days for excessive use of the whip. The problem is, he dropped his whip at the stalls."
By the end of racing, the stewards had reviewed their decision and following a second inquiry, apologised to Whelan and dropped their original three-day ban.
"R P Whelan informed the further inquiry that he had lost his whip at an early stage of this race, a fact that he had not revealed . . . prior to the first inquiry or to the acting stewards during the course of the first enquiry," said the Turf Club stewards report.
"Having considered the new evidence given the stewards were of the opinion that their original decision was in error and apologised. They accordingly set aside their earlier finding and penalty."
Bolger added: "They have apologised and lifted the ban so I suppose all's well that ends well. It's the end of the matter, as far as I'm concerned."
