Galway Races appeal: 'I do believe in my heart and soul it's the wrong decision'
The Noel Meade-trained Helvic Dream (8/1) passed the post first under Donagh Meyler, but the stewards felt there was interference significant enough to reverse the placings, with Gordon Elliott's Ndaawi called the winner.
The pair came close together all the way up the run-in as both horses and jockeys gave their all, with Ndaawi short of room against the far rail under Jack Kennedy.
Meade revealed afterwards that he would be appealing the decision.
He told Racing TV: "I didn't think we'd lose it, considering the race and considering Jack didn't have to stop riding.
"I do believe in my heart and soul it's the wrong decision and I will appeal it. I suppose that's only my opinion but it is my opinion and I will appeal it."
He added: "There's plenty of footage, but the contact is very minimal. Jack never had to stop riding and my lad when he got up there is probably only ever doing enough, but he was always holding him.
"I'm happy enough to go in there and have another go at it again."
Ndaawi being called the winner completed a big-race double for Elliott after landing Wednesday's Galway Plate with Western Fold.
Incredibly, the decision was called as Elliott and Meade stood side-by-side and was shown live on TV.
Elliott said: said: 'We have won most of the big handicaps so this is the race I wanted to win, although it is not a nice way to win.
'Noel is one of my greatest friends and there isn't a day goes by that we don't talk and we have great banter, but that's the way it goes unfortunately.
'The stewards have their jobs to do, Jack said it straightaway after the race and I was talking to Ruby (Walsh) as well and he felt we would definitely get it.
'It is unbelievable to win the two big races here this week and the horses have all run well, I can't believe it.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
8 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Cannonball 2025 returns to Sligo, bringing Ferraris, Lamborghinis and more
Cannonball is coming back to Sligo on Saturday September 13th for the finish line of day 2 at 6pm. Cannonball, the action-packed supercar spectacle is set to roll from September 12th-14th leaving Johnstown Estate in Enfield taking in Ballymaloe, Killarney, Clare, Sligo, Cavan before finishing in Naas, Co Kildare. Cannonball, fuelled by miles+ from Circle K, is the largest organised road trip in Europe featuring the finest cars on the planet including Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren, Porsche, Aston Martin, and Maserati. Over 200,000 spectators are expected with free festivals organised from coast to coast. Cannonball is a free family event and spectators are welcome to come and view the cars from 6pm in Sligo and meet the drivers. The finish line will be at Queen Maeve Square. Jack and Jill Children's Foundation is the official charity partner for Cannonball 2025. 48 children in Sligo have been cared for by the charity since its inception in 1997 and this year 6 children in Sligo are being cared for by Jack and Jill. Sligo Champion Today at 07:48 Cannonball is coming back to Sligo on Saturday September 13 for the finish line of day 2 at 6pm. Cannonball, the action-packed supercar spectacle is set to roll from September 12-14 leaving Johnstown Estate in Enfield taking in Ballymaloe, Killarney, Clare, Sligo, Cavan before finishing in Naas, Co Kildare. Cannonball, fuelled by miles+ from Circle K, is the largest organised road trip in Europe featuring the finest cars on the planet including Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren, Porsche, Aston Martin, and Maserati. Over 200,000 spectators are expected with free festivals organised from coast to coast. Cannonball is a free family event and spectators are welcome to come and view the cars from 6pm in Sligo and meet the drivers. The finish line will be at Queen Maeve Square. Jack and Jill Children's Foundation is the official charity partner for Cannonball 2025. 48 children in Sligo have been cared for by the charity since its inception in 1997 and this year 6 children in Sligo are being cared for by Jack and Jill.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Irish trainer at centre of surreal RTE moment with Gordon Elliott discovers ‘ultimate decision' of Galway Races appeal
NOEL LUCK Irish trainer at centre of surreal RTE moment with Gordon Elliott discovers 'ultimate decision' of Galway Races appeal NOEL MEADE has failed in his appeal against the outcome of a race in Galway that led to a surreal TV moment with Gordon Elliott. Initially Meade's runner Helvic Dream had pipped Ndaawi to the post in the Galway Hurdle. 2 Noel Meade's appeal against the overturned result of the Galway Hurdle has been dismissed Credit: Matt Browne/Sportsfile 2 He was involved in a bizarre TV moment with Gordon Elliott after the race Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile However, an inquiry was immediately called as the former had seemed to bump the latter towards the inside fence. The review process played out on live TV as Gordon Elliott - who trained Ndaawi - discovered his horse had won while standing right next to Meade. Meade subsequently appealed the result, with the IHRB hearing evidence from him, jockey Donagh Meyler, Gordon Elliott, and his jockey Jack Kennedy. In his evidence, Meade, Trainer opined that the best horse won, and it was impossible to say that Kennedy was ever going to pass Helvic Dream. He argued that Kennedy's body language was that he was leaning out to meet Meyler and Helvic Dream and he never had to stop riding at any point Jack Kennedy, however, insisted he started to feel contact between 200 and 150 yards from the finish. He explained that he switched his whip from his left hand to his right hand because he was tight for room on his left side. The rider likened it to "two cars locked together" and concluded that he felt very hard done by passing the line as his horse didn't get a "fair crack at the race". When all evidence was heard, the three-person IHRB committee ultimately rejected the appeal. Mrs Justice Siobhan Keegan said on their behalf: "We do reflect that all of the participants in this appeal are experienced professionals, and we understand the positions that they respectively hold. Gordon Elliott and Noel Meade in surreal live RTE moment as they react to controversial Galway Hurdle ruling "The ultimate decision that we have to reach is whether the stewards erred in their decision on the day and whether we should uphold the decision or reach a different view on this. "Having viewed all the recordings of the race and considered all of the evidence we have to come to our decision, mindful that these determinations are on the balance of probabilities. "We also want to say that we can well see why an appeal has been brought in this case. "(We are) dealing with a case where each side has made some valid points and there are points to be made on each side of the argument. "Looking at the notice of appeal in summary, we think it is an underestimate to say that there was minor contact in this race. "We think it is an oversimplification to say that the second horse always had racing room. "In coming to our conclusion, we cannot be satisfied that the stewards erred in their decision to reverse the placings. "In summary that is because interference has occurred, and it was caused by Mr Meyler. "Whilst Mr (Jack) Kennedy's horse may not have obviously lost its own momentum, he was clearly significantly pressed for space so near the rail and he was not able to ride his strongest race. "We must therefore dismiss the appeal." While unsuccessful in his appeal, Meade was awarded some of the cost of lodging it.
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Galway Hurdle result ratified as Helvic Dream connections lose appeal
Ndaawi has been ratified as winner of the Galway Hurdle after Helvic Dream's connections failed in their bid to overturn the result. Trainer Noel Meade was present at Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board HQ on Wednesday evening as his appeal was rejected. Helvic Dream passed the post first under Donagh Meyler at the Galway Festival last month, but stewards deemed that there was interference and as a result, second-placed Ndaawi - ridden by Jack Kennedy - was promoted to winner for trainer Gordon Elliott, with Helvic dream moved down to second place. Speaking to Racing TV after the conclusion of the Galway Hurdle, Meade said "I do believe in my heart and soul it's the wrong decision and I will appeal it. I suppose that's only my opinion but it is my opinion and I will appeal it." In a statement confirming that the appeal had been dismissed, Mrs Justice Siobhan Keegan spoke on behalf of the appeals board and said "The ultimate decision that we have to reach is whether the stewards erred in their decision on the day and whether we should uphold the decision or reach a different view on this. "Having viewed all the recordings of the race and considered all of the evidence we have to come to our decision, mindful that these determinations are on the balance of probabilities. We also want to say that we can well see why an appeal has been brought in this case. "In coming to our conclusion... we cannot be satisfied that the stewards erred in their decision to reverse the placings. "In summary that is because interference has occurred, and it was caused by Mr Meyler. Whilst Mr Kennedy's horse may not have obviously lost its own momentum, he was clearly significantly pressed for space so near the rail and he was not able to ride his strongest race. We must therefore dismiss the appeal." Donagh Meyler on Helvic Dream (right) crosses the line first ahead of Jack Kennedy on Ndaawi in The Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap (Grade C) only for the result to be reversed after a stewards inquiry (Image: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy) Speaking to Racing TV on Wednesday evening, Meade expressed disappointment at the decision, and while he confirmed that he would appeal again in a similar situation, he was pleased to have been given a fair hearing where he could present his case. "We did indeed (Get a fair hearing). look, we knew going in, we were on a long shot because when they have changed the result, it's going to be difficult to change it back," said Meade. "But we did feel that we had reason to appeal it, and we got a very fair hearing. "They gave us back back our deposit and said it was certainly ... the appeal was very legitimate and that we had every reason to appeal. "So to be honest, we, we, we felt vindicated for that, didn't get the money, but that's it. Look, that's racing."
