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Irish Daily Mirror
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Update on investigation into controversial Redwood Queen unseat at Wexford
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board's (IHRB) review into the controversial unseat of Philip Byrnes from the Charles Byrnes-trained Redwood Queen at Wexford last month has begun. Limerick jockey Byrnes parted company with the mare Redwood Queen at the final hurdle, who was a serious market drifter before the Claiming race, handing victory to odds-on favourite and well-backed Beacon Edge from Gordon Elliott's stable. She traded at 1.14 (1/7) approaching the final hurdle which she appeared to jump well before Byrnes parted company, slipping off the inside and landing on his knees. Although the on-course stewards at Wexford took no action on the day of the race, the IHRB later stated that a senior official would review the matter. The incident has attracted a huge amount of attention all over the world - as far as Australia and the USA - and footage of the unseat has been viewed millions of times online. Afterwards she was claimed by trainer Cian Collins for €6,000. Following the race Charles Byrnes gave his verdict on the unseat saying: "He (Philip) was trying to get the mare to go in and pop it, because obviously she had the race won, and she came up out of his hands and blew him out of the saddle. There's no one hurting more than Philip about it." The IHRB's Head of Communications Niall Cronin confirmed the review has now commenced but was unable to give a time line for its completion. He said: 'When conducting any review or investigation, an IHRB Senior Racing Official collaborates with and has the full support of IHRB colleagues across all departments. 'Depending on the nature of the matter, the IHRB may also engage with external service providers or stakeholders as appropriate. 'The current review into the Wexford matter is being conducted in line with our procedures.'
Scottish Sun
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘Spineless' – Meg Nicholls' verdict on Philip Byrnes' infamous fall as dad Charles breaks silence after horse is sold
BYRN AFTER READING 'Spineless' – Meg Nicholls' verdict on Philip Byrnes' infamous fall as dad Charles breaks silence after horse is sold Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BRAVE Meg Nicholls was praised by punters for giving her no-holds-barred verdict on Philip Byrnes' infamous Wexford fall. The jockey's 'soft' unseat at the last when clear on Redwood Queen has sparked an urgent Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board investigation. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up Statement issued as officials launch probe into jockey's final-flight fall on leading horse who drifted in market The mare, who has since been sold to a new trainer having belonged to Philip's brother Cathal, was a huge drifter in the betting before the off. New footage has emerged of the flashpoint, which saw Philip, whose dad Charles trained the horse, fall to his knees after the horse successfully jumped the last. Nicholls was involved in a discussion with Sun Racing's Matt Chapman and former Grand National-winning rider Mick Fitzgerald last weekend. And Meg, daughter of iconic trainer Paul, didn't hold back when giving her opinion of what happened. Quizzed by Fitzgerald: "So come on then, what are you saying, that he jumped off?" Meg without hesitation hit back: "I think it looks like it. "Watching that it looks as if he is preparing… his knee is out already. He is pushing himself out the left hand side. "It looks as if he is trying to come off." Nicholls' analysis was lauded as 'superb' by ITV viewers - but some disagreed with Fitzgerald. One took exception to his 'spineless' verdict of the incident, while others thought he offered valuable insight into what the jockey was trying to do. Either way, as Chapman wrote in his column, the outcome of the probe will more than likely depend on what can be traced, if anything, to betting patterns around the race. Byrnes senior finally broke his silence on the incident and used the opportunity to hit out at those doubting his son. He said: "It's obvious what happened. "He was trying to get the mare to go in and pop it, because obviously she had the race won, and she came up out of his hands and blew him out of the saddle. "There's no one hurting more than Philip about it." All this came as new footage of the fall was shared online. The camera, looking down towards the post from the track, focused in on how Byrnes' feet left their irons. Viewing it on Racing TV on Sunday morning, former jockey Adam McNamara conceded it 'looks really bad'. He said: "I'm going to be pro-jockey by nature and perhaps it's naive of me, but I want to believe it was an unseat. "If it was something more sinister why wait until last to do it? "It looks really bad - I think it's a really bad bit of riding. "The jockey will say he should never have fallen off that." Stewards originally decided on the day that no further action would be taken over the incident. But it was only after a social media outcry that the IHRB confirmed it was being looked into. 1 The new footage from behind focused in how Byrnes' feet left his irons mid-jump FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Irish Daily Mirror
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Charles Byrnes breaks silence after son's last hurdle unseating
Trainer Charles Byrnes has addressed the final flight unseating of his son, Philip Byrnes, from their horse Redwood Queen. The incident, which occurred during the closing stages of a claiming race at Wexford on Wednesday, is currently being reviewed by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. Philip Byrnes parted company with Redwood Queen, who was a market drifter before the race, handing victory to odds-on favourite Beacon Edge from Gordon Elliott's stable. Although on-course stewards took no action, the IHRB later stated that a senior official would review the matter. In an interview with the Irish Times, Byrnes senior shared his perspective on what happened to the six-time winner, who will continue racing under new connections. "He (Philip) was trying to get the mare to go in and pop it, because obviously she had the race won, and she came up out of his hands and blew him out of the saddle," he said. "There's no one hurting more than Philip about it." A head-on replay revealed how the Cathal Byrnes-owned Redwood Queen lifted her feet high and jumped the obstacle before Philip Byrnes lost his stirrups and fell to the right, reports the Mirror. The six-time scorer traded at 1.14 in-running, very short odds which summed up the likelihood of winning. Afterwards she was claimed by trainer Cian Collins for €6,000. A summary from the Racing post stated Redwood Queen was "going best 2 out, 2 lengths ahead when jockey unbalanced and unseated last." The Wexford stewards, after viewing a recording of the race, decided against taking further action. "We note the position of the raceday stewards following their review of the incident," remarked an IHRB spokesperson. "We can now confirm the matter is down for review by an IHRB senior racing official." On Saturday trainer and jockey sent the 2021 Ebor winner Sonnyboyliston to the track for his hurdles debut. Making only a third appearance for the stable, the eight-year-old went off at 4-6 after opening up at 6-4 on-course. Philip Byrnes drove him out after Listowel's last jump and the pair reeled in leader Dream Diamond, with Encosta finishing well to split the pair.
Daily Mirror
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Trainer breaks silence as son's controversial Redwood Queen fall is investigated
Charles and Philip Byrnes were among the winners on Saturday when former Ebor winner and favourite Sonnyboyliston scored at odds of 4-6 in a 2m½f maiden hurdle at Listowel Trainer Charles Byrnes has spoken out about his son's controversial final flight fall from their horse Redwood Queen. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board is investigating the incident that saw Philip Byrnes come off the mare in the closing stages of a claiming race at Wexford on Wednesday. A market drifter beforehand, Redwood Queen's departure gifted the race to odds on favourite Beacon Edge from Gordon Elliott's stable. On-course stewards took no action but the IHRB stepped in and said the matter would be looked at again by a senior official. Speaking to the Irish Times, Byrnes senior gave his view on what happened to the six-time winner, who will race on for new connections. "He (Philip) was trying to get the mare to go in and pop it, because obviously she had the race won, and she came up out of his hands and blew him out of the saddle," he said. There's no one hurting more than Philip about it." A head-on replay showed how Cathal Byrnes-owned Redwood Queen picked her feet up and jumped the obstacle high before Philip Byrnes loses his stirrups and exits to the right. The six-time scorer traded at 1.14 in-running, very short odds which summed up the likelihood of winning. Afterwards she was claimed by trainer Cian Collins for €6,000. A summary from the Racing post stated Redwood Queen was "going best 2 out, 2 lengths ahead when jockey unbalanced and unseated last." The Wexford stewards report viewed a recording of the race and took no further action, a decision which frustrated some punters. "We note the position of the raceday stewards following their review of the incident," an IHRB spokesperson said. "We can now confirm the matter is down for review by an IHRB senior racing official." On Saturday trainer and jockey sent their lightly-raced 2021 Ebor winner Sonnyboyliston to the track for his hurdles debut. Making only a third appearance for the stable, the eight-year-old went off at 4-6 after opening up at 6-4 on-course. Philip Byrnes drove him out after Listowel's last jump and the pair reeled in leader Dream Diamond, with Encosta finishing well to split the pair.
Irish Daily Mirror
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Under review father-son duo combine for first winner since Redwood Queen unseat
The under review father-son duo of Charles and Phillip Byrnes combined to record a winner at Listowel on Saturday afternoon. 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 '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."
