Taaffe rides first winner - confirmed after lengthy enquiry

There was a dramatic conclusion to proceedings at Downpatrick as the A J C Group INH Flat Race saw Pat Taaffe off the mark as a jockey. His mount, Walking Fame trained by his father, Tom, survived a lengthy steward’s enquiry.

Though travelling smoothly the successful daughter of Fame And Glory wasn’t helping her rider, hanging to her left from a fair way out.

It got a lot more pronounced late on as Deo Bellator (125/1) and I A Connect (the rallying 6/4 favourite) closed in.

Both these were hampered and Walking Fame eventually defeated Deo Bellator and I A Connect by a length and a quarter and a neck, with the trio eight lengths and more clear of the rest.

Called after his grand-father, rider of the legendary Arkle, Taaffe had an anxious wait before the no alteration, winner alright signal came through.

Walking Fame was initially favourite on the exchanges to keep the race, but she ‘flip-flopped’ with Deo Bellator the longer it went on.

“She leaned to here (stands’ side) which a lot of horses do. He (Pat Taaffe) didn’t change his stick, but he’s won a length and a quarter which is in his favour,” reflected Taaffe senior in the immediate aftermath.

“We like the filly — we wanted to try and win a bumper with her. She has a very good black-type page.

“She goes hurdling straight away, she jumps well, and she’s maybe a chaser.

“That’s Pat’s first winner and I’m very proud. He is going to college and will ride as an amateur and over jumps. He puts his time in and watches his weight and is mad keen.”

The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages involving I A Connect, ridden by Mr J. J. Codd, placed third, Deo Bellator, ridden by Miss A. O'Sullivan, placed second and Walking Fame, ridden by Mr Pat Taaffe, placed first, where it appeared that interference may have occurred.

Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the judges placing.

They did however find Mr. Pat Taaffe in breach of Rule 214, in that he had ridden carelessly.

Having considered Mr. Pat Taaffe's record in this regard he Stewards suspended Mr. Pat Taaffe for seven racedays and advised him that he must attend R.A.C.E for one days tuition.

Niall Cronin, IHRB communications manager attended this enquiry in an observatory capacity.

(MG & EM)