At today’s Disciplinary Panel hearing, Aidan O’Brien admitted a breach Rule (A)37 and (B)83, and Pat Keating admitted two breaches of (B)83, by refusing to comply with two instructions given by the Stewards at York.  The first was an instruction that CAPE BLANCO (IRE) be trotted up before the BHA’s Veterinary Officer and the Senior Racecourse Veterinary Surgeon as part of their examination of the colt prior to the colt leaving York racecourse.  The second was an instruction to attend a Stewards’ Enquiry into the refusal to allow CAPE BLANCO (IRE) to be trotted up before the BHA’s Veterinary Officer and the Racecourse Veterinary Surgeon.

Aidan O’Brien denied being breach of Rule (A)30.1 (acting in a manner prejudicial to the conduct and/or good reputation of horseracing in Great Britain).  There were two parts  to that charge – one in relation to his refusal to allow the horse to be examined and the other in relation to his instruction given to Pat Keating not to attend the Stewards’ Enquiry. The Panel heard legal submissions as to whether or not those (A)30.1 Charges were appropriate.  Having concluded that the Panel should enquire into the first part of that Charge, in relation to his refusal to allow the CAPE BLANCO (IRE) to be examined, the Panel adjourned its consideration of that charge until a future date to be arranged.