Donnacha O'Brien© Photo Healy Racing
The season's leading rider Donnacha O'Brien was banned for 7-days at Galway this evening for attempting to weigh out to ride Queen Iseult in the 6.15 without the harness attachment on his back protector.
Also trainer David Dunne was fined €1,500 for an incident involving his Vodka Society.
The steward's reports are detailed below.
The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr. L. Walsh, that D. O'Brien, rider of Queen Iseult (GB), attempted to weigh out without the harness attachment on his back protector prior to this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that it had been an oversight on his part. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards found the rider in breach of Rule 198 (v) and Regulation 10 and having considered his clean record imposed a suspension of seven days on the rider.
The Stewards considered a report from Mr. D. O'Meara, IHRB Security Team Member, regarding the overnight stabling of Vodka Society, trained by David Peter Dunne which had run in the 1.40 race at the track on the previous afternoon.
Evidence was heard from Mr. O'Meara, Ms. Joan Taylor, M.R.C.V.S. IHRB Veterinary Officer, Ms. S. Keyes, Stable Yard Personnel, and David Peter Dunne, Trainer. Mr. D. Buckley, IHRB Security Officer, also attended this enquiry.
Mr. O'Meara stated that after reporting for duty today he observed a horse stabled in box 90. In his opinion the stable was in a deplorable condition. A half bale of shavings which was left in the stable had not been spread, the stable appeared wet and there was a lot of dung present. There was tack on the floor of the stable and on further examination he discovered the passport for the horse, Vodka Society. He didn't observe any feed but there was some water present. He presented digital photographs of the condition of the stable to the Stewards.
Evidence was also heard from Ms. S. Keyes, who stated that she observed the horse over night but she does not have the authority to attend to a horse's bedding or feeding needs, which is the sole preserve and responsibility of the trainer and his staff.
Ms. J. Taylor, stated that Mr. O'Meara brought the condition of box 90 to her attention. She stated that in her opinion the condition the horse was left in overnight was unacceptable.
David Peter Dunne, stated that following the running of Vodka Society, it had been his intention to have the horse transported home that evening. However the various arrangements for this had fallen through and the horse was left at the racecourse overnight. He stated that he last attended the horse at 8pm yesterday and he did not return to the horse until 2.15pm this afternoon. He stated that an unforeseen chain of events had occurred which meant that his standard of care as a trainer had fallen short of what it should have been and he was embarrassed to be in the Stewards' Room for a matter of this nature.
Having considered all the evidence, the Stewards found Mr. Dunne in breach of Rule 148 (i) and Rule 272 and having considered his previous clean record in this regard, the Stewards imposed a fine of €1500 on the trainer.
