The Managing Executive of Ayr Racecourse – The Western Meeting Club Limited – has been informed that the Disciplinary Panel will be holding an enquiry to consider whether or not it has committed a breach of Rule 80(ii)(a) of the Rules of Racing, in the light of the Authority’s General Instruction on Racecourse Gallops.

This Instruction makes clear that gallops on the racing surface on racedays are not permitted unless permission has been granted by the Authority’s Racecourse Department or they take place after racing.

It is the Authority’s case that prior to racing on 29th May the Clerk of the Course, Ms Katherine Self allowed three horses to have a racecourse gallop without gaining the necessary permission from the Racecourse Department.

26th June 2008

Notes for Editors:

1. Rule 80 (ii) (a) requires racecourses to comply with our General Instructions.

2. A breach of Rule 80 has a penalty in the range of £1,000 – £15,000 with an entry point of £3,500.

3. The Stewards at Ayr on 29th May held their own enquiry and referred the matter to Shaftesbury Avenue.