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Irish Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish Champion jockey hit with 14-day ban for alleged non-trier offence
Ireland's Champion conditional jump jockey Tiernan Power Roche has been hit with a hefty ban following a race at Ballinrobe on Tuesday evening. The Wexford born rider was suspended for 14-days by the raceday stewards for his ride on Coolboy Christie in the opening O´Hare´s Bar Maiden Hurdle at the Mayo venue. The stewards deemed him in breach of Rule 212, which relates to non-triers, for his effort on the Philip Rothwell-trained four-year-old who finished eighth of 13 in the race. They also suspended the horse, owned by the Geesala Racing Group Syndicate, from racing for 60 days while trainer Rothwell, who was absent, escaped any punishment. 27-year-old Power Roche was crowned champion conditional last season and is one of the brightest prospects on the Irish jumping racing scene with 40 career winners to his name. Coolboy Christie was a 40-1 chance and made late headway having been held up at the rear of the field for most of the race. Power Roche told the stewards he was following his trainer's instructions as the horse had previously raced keenly but having interviewed connections the stewards took action and hit him with a 14-day ban. The suspension could now see Power Roche miss out on the Galway Festival, which takes place next week from Monday July 28 to Sunday August 3rd. Following the race an IHRB Veterinary check reported the animal to be clinically abnormal post-race with samples taken for further analysis. The stewards' report into the race was published on the IHRB website following racing and read: 'The Raceday Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Coolboy Christy, ridden by T. Power Roche, and trained by P.J. Rothwell. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned and Mr David Nolan the trainer's Authorised Representative. 'T. Power Roche, stated that he received his instructions via telephone prior to racing from P.J. Rothwell, these were to drop in last and to settle his mount who has previously ran keen. 'He further stated that his mount made a few jumping errors but that he was happy with the ride in that he had improved from his previous runs and ran to the best of his abilities today. 'Mr David Nolan confirmed the instructions given and stated that following the race P.J. Rothwell advised him via telephone that the rider could have been seen to make more of an effort in the closing stages. 'The Raceday Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who reported the animal to be clinically abnormal post-race. Samples were taken for further analysis. 'Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that T. Power Roche was in breach of Rule 212A.(ii)(in that the rider was not seen to have attempted to obtain from his mount timely, real and substantial efforts to achieve the best possible place) and having considered his clean record in this regard they suspended him for 14 racedays and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee. 'Furthermore, the Raceday Stewards under the provisions of Rule 212A(d) suspended Coolboy Christy for 60 days. In arriving at their decision, the Raceday Stewards acknowledged the IHRB Veterinary report, however they were still satisfied that a breach of Rule 212A.(ii) had occurred.'
Daily Mirror
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Probe launched after photographer 'distracts' Aidan O'Brien horse in race
Whirl's defeat of Kalpana in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes was not as straightforward as it might have been, according to Ryan Moore Racing officials in Ireland have been asked to carry out an investigation into an incident which was alleged to have distracted an Aidan O'Brien runner in a Group 1 race. The filly Whirl had been beaten a neck after a sustained duel with her stablemate Minnie Hauk in the Oaks at Epsom earlier in June. She was second favourite for the Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes on Saturday at the Curragh behind the odds-on favourite Kalpana, trained by Andrew Balding. Under a terrific ride from Ryan Moore, Whirl made her Group 1 breakthrough but only after another battle royale, fighting back after Kalpana appeared to have her measure. The winning margin was a length and a quarter at the winning post. O'Brien said afterwards: 'She's an incredible filly. She's just progressed and she loves getting into a fight. 'Obviously we saw that she stays a mile and a half at Epsom. She's absolutely concrete, really. We knew that obviously she wouldn't mind the mile and a quarter as she was very impressive in York when she won the Musidora.' He continued: 'Ryan gave her a brilliant ride, he got the fractions absolutely spot on. It's a difficult thing when you are running a mile-and-a-half filly back at a mile and a quarter. You are trying to spread the stamina out over a mile and a quarter without stretching the elastic too long, but he got it absolutely spot on. 'He got the favourite to challenge him and this filly gets a mile and a half so there was no point turning it into a sprint. It was the plan to spread it out and let the two of them get together and see who was going to be the best. 'As they say 'let the best horse jump the ditch' after that. Two great jockeys, what can I say about Ryan, day in day out he's incredible.' However Moore went on to tell the raceday stewards that Whirl had shied away from a photographer sat close to the track on the other side of the running rail near the winning post. O'Brien said: 'Ryan said he felt 50 yards from the line that she had a look at the camera and he knew he had her then.' The stewards' report said: 'The Raceday Stewards interviewed Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of the Curragh Racecourse, under the provisions of Rule 13 (i), in relation to the conduct of a photographer who was within five metres of the inside running rail approximately 140 yards from the winning post who appeared to catch the eye of the winner causing it to shy from her. 'Evidence was heard from Brian Kavanagh who stated that he did not know who the photographer was but accepted that she should not have been there. 'Having considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards referred the matter, without prejudice, to the Referrals Committee for further investigation to allow Mr Kavanagh time to fully investigate the matter.'
BBC News
06-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
O'Sullivan airlifted to hospital after fall
Irish jockey Michael O'Sullivan has been airlifted to hospital after a fall at Thurles on Thursday.O'Sullivan was riding Wee Charlie for Gerard O'Leary and was one of three fallers at the final fence in the two-mile Racing Again February 20th Handicap two-time winner at Cheltenham in 2023 was treated on the track before he was transferred by air ambulance to Cork University meeting was abandoned following the incident.A statement published on X by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board said: "Due to the ongoing medical situation at the time, the Raceday Stewards made the decision to abandon the remainder of the card."The board added that O'Sullivan was "stabilised" before he was airlifted to hospital."All our thoughts and prayers are with Mikey O'Sullivan and his family tonight. We express our gratitude to the amazing medical team who tended to Mikey on course," a statement from Thurles read.O'Sullivan shot to prominence in 2023 when winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham aboard Marine Nationale before winning the Fred Winter with Jazzy Matty.
