Michael Winters© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Michael Winters and rider Barry John Foley fell foul of the Cork stewards this afternoon over the running and riding of Churchtown Glen which finished seventh in the opening 4-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.
The following is the steward's report:
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Churchtown Glen, ridden by B.J. Foley, and trained by Michael Winters. Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned.
B.J. Foley stated that his instructions were to jump off in mid division, give his mount a good education as he is a young, green horse and to finish as close as possible. B.J. Foley also stated that in running his mount hung badly left and jumped left, that he made attempts to keep horses on his outside in order to prevent his mount from travelling recklessly across the track, and that he made an attempt to challenge for the race turning into the home straight.
The Stewards noted that B.J. Foley made a report to the Clerk of the Scales.
Michael Winters stated that B.J. Foley knows this horse fairly well, that the horse has been a difficult ride on his previous two runs and that his charge has improved significantly since his last run. M. Winters further stated that he was delighted with how B.J. Foley rode the race considering that Churchtown Glen is an awkward horse to ride.
The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer who stated that Churchtown Glen was post race normal.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards found both rider and trainer to be in breach of Rule 212 A (i), in that Churchtown Glen was not allowed to run on its merits.
Having considered their records in this regard, the Stewards fined M. Winters €6,000, suspended B.J. Foley for 21 Racedays and ordered him to forfeit his riding fee, and suspended Churchtown Glen for 90 days.
