The Disciplinary Panel of the British Horseracing Authority will hold an enquiry to consider whether jockey Colm O’Donoghue and trainer Aidan O’Brien are in breach of the ‘team tactics’ rules in the Juddmonte International Stakes at Newmarket on 23rd August 2008.
The Panel will consider whether Colm O’Donoghue was in breach of Rule 153(iv)(a) by making a manoeuvre in the interests of a horse from the same stable. The Panel will also consider whether Aidan O’Brien is in breach of Rule 153(vi), in that the trainer of a horse whose rider found in breach of Rule 153(iv) is deemed guilty of an offence unless he is able to satisfy the Stewards that he instructed his rider to treat every other horse in the race without favour
It is hoped that the enquiry will be held week commencing 22 September and it will be open to the press.
Paul Struthers, Media Relations Manager for the BHA, said:
“We have completed the review process and written to Aidan O’Brien and Colm O’Donoghue confirming that they will need to appear before the Disciplinary Panel in connection with a possible breach of Rule 153(iv) in the Juddmonte International.
“We are obviously conscious of the interest this will generate but, having reviewed the video and read comments attributed to Johnny Murtagh in the press, it was felt that a formal enquiry into the incident had to be held. This will ensure that the matter is considered thoroughly, fairly and openly.
“This is the first time we have reviewed a race for a possible breach of ‘team tactics’ since the rules changed in 2007 and we are satisfied that there has been no other race where an enquiry should have been held. I would also like to make clear that there is no possibility of the result of the Juddmonte International being affected.”
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
1. Rule 153(iv) states:
A Rider shall not:
(a) make a manoeuvre in a race in the interests of another horse in common ownership or under common control or from the same stable or team whether or not such a manoeuvre caused interference or caused his horse to fail to achieve its best possible placing.
(b) commit a riding offence with the intention or with the consequence of giving advantage to another horse in common ownership or under common control or from the same stable or team.
For the avoidance of doubt this Rule does not prohibit pure pacemaking as such, and the phrase “common ownership” means that the horses in question share one or more owners in common and “common control” shall be similarly construed.
2. Rule 153(vi) states
The Trainer of a horse whose Rider is found in breach of Rule 153 (iv) (a) or (b) shall be deemed guilty of an offence unless he is able to satify the Stewards that he instructed his Rider to treat every other horse in the race without any favour, howsoever the race developed, and that the Rider acted regardless of such instructions.
3. The Guideline Penalty for a breach of Rule 153(iv)(a) is:
• Rider makes a manoeuvre to allow another horse a clear run but causes no interference – entry point of 7 days with a range of 5 to 10 days.
4. The Guideline Penalty for a breach of Rule 153(vi) is:
• Trainer instructs rider to breach Rule 153 (iv) – entry point of £5000 with a range of £2000 to £10,000.
