Under review father-son duo combine for first winner since Redwood Queen unseat
Phillip's unseat on Redwood Queen at Wexford on Wednesday has blown up on social media and is under review by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.
But the young jockey was back in the saddle at Listowel and rode 4/6 favourite Sonnyboylisteon to win a maiden hurdle.
Formerly trained on the flat by Johnny Murtagh, for whom he won the 2021 Irish St Leger, the eight-year-old gelding was making his debut over obstacles.
Speaking after the race, Charles Byrnes told Irish Racing.com: 'He had schooled very well and jumped very well today.
'His owner (Patrick M O'Shea) is from Dublin-side and the reason I got him is he had leg trouble, I wouldn't have him otherwise. I have him a good while but have been nursing him along.
'We've no big expectations and, as long as he stays sound, hopefully can keep progressing.
'Only for the course putting on the water yesterday, he wouldn't have been running.'
The Byrnes are under public scrutiny after Redwood Queen, who drifted from 6/4 to 13/2 before the off, had the Wexford Claiming Hurdle at his mercy until Philip Byrnes was unseated jumping the final hurdle.
After the race, which ended in a comfortable win for Beacon Edge under jockey Josh Halford for Gordon Elliott, stewards at Wexford looked into the matter but decided against any action, with their report noting: "Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the raceday stewards took no further action."
However, the IHRB has since declared it will be reassessing the event, as conveyed by a spokesperson: "We note the position of the raceday stewards following their review of the incident. I can confirm the matter is down for review by an IHRB senior racing official."
After the race, the winning jockey told Racing TV: "It's my ninth winner altogether and it's going great. I can't thank Gordon enough. On paper it was a penalty kick, but I was very lucky to get the opportunity. I thought he could have come on and had the faller covered, but he got the job done.
"He was flat out all the way and I tried to hold on to him. Gordon told me to use my head as the trip would be a bit tight, but we got the win anyway so we cannot complain."
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