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Irish Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Irish racing needs to professionalise its disciplinary process to reassure public
Rather like a referee or a parking warden, being a voluntary race-day steward is a thankless task. Mostly, all they get out of it is lukewarm tea, a parking space and insults about their eyesight. Sometimes, though, there's a stonewall penalty or a car upside down on a zebra crossing. Like the day with Ta Na La at Wexford recently. Ta Na La, trained by Ted Walsh and racing in the colours of his wife Helen, made her debut over fences in a five-runner novice chase. Ridden by claiming jockey Shane O'Callaghan, Ta Na La travelled strongly throughout the race, jumped well and had only the odds-on favourite Aspire Tower in front of her on the run to the last. From there on, the finish was notable for O'Callaghan's lack of urgency . Aspire Tower ultimately won by more than four lengths, but it was the runner-up's performance that immediately attracted attention. An inquiry into the running and riding of Ta Na La was called. Walsh wasn't in Wexford, so O'Callaghan was accompanied by the trainer's authorised representative. If a trainer isn't at a race meeting, they are required under Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board rules to have an authorised representative present. READ MORE O'Callaghan told the stewards how his instructions, issued directly from the trainer, were to jump off and get his mount settled as she can be very free in her races. He added he was told to get her jumping well, come home the best she could and not to use his whip. The stewards decided the 'non-trier' rules had been broken 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'. They imposed the minimum sanctions. O'Callaghan was suspended for 14 days, Ta Na La suspended for 60 days, and Walsh was fined €3,000. The critical phraseology in the relevant rule is 'not seen'. It's a critical weapon in the official armoury brought in by racing's regulatory body in 2017. A series of high-profile 'non-trier' cases had been successfully appealed, leaving the authorities looking ineffective. Subjective interpretations of what might or might not be 'off' were all but impossible to prove up to legal standards. So, horses now had to be seen to try to obtain their best possible placing. By those standards the Ta Na La case looked straightforward. Walsh's high-profile status as RTÉ's former racing pundit inevitably attracted attention. The Grand National-winning trainer lodged an appeal against his fine and the horse's suspension from racing, which was heard on Monday. O'Callaghan didn't appeal his penalty. Walsh argued he wasn't afforded the opportunity to state his case on the day through his authorised representative and that under no circumstances was O'Callaghan instructed not to obtain from Ta Na La a timely, real and substantial effort to achieve the best possible placing. Walsh said he'd instructed O'Callaghan not to use the whip if Ta Na La was well beaten. But she'd outrun expectations. He blamed the jockey for not making enough effort to show the racing public that he was achieving his best possible position. Jockey Shane O'Callaghan. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho The IHRB statement on Monday's appeal outlines that Walsh's evidence was heard on a 'de-novo' basis, or for the first time. The three-person appeals board outlined how Walsh's authorised representative at Wexford was not asked by the stewards whether they were satisfied with O'Callaghan's ride. After hearing Walsh's evidence they lifted his €3,000 fine. But the horse's suspension stood. The outcome raises some questions, perhaps the most basic of which is why Walsh's authorised representative wasn't asked whether he was satisfied with O'Callaghan's ride? It seems an obvious thing to do in the circumstances. The function of authorised representatives in such circumstances also appears less than clear. What role, if any, are they expected to fill? Walsh said he hadn't spoken to his about the race, particularly, and the man was a friend rather than an employee. So, what was he expected to contribute? On a broader level, does an outcome like this reinforce concerns that the collective aspect to 'non-trier' breaches reflected in penalties for horse, trainer and jockey can work more in theory than in practise? The proper outcome was reached in the end but the untangling of such an apparently straightforward case puts the spotlight back on how such disciplinary processes are carried out on Irish racecourses. The idea is to present a convincing regulatory deterrent that reassures the betting public. This ended up looking worryingly slipshod. It underlines again the outmoded stewarding model in this country. Irish racing is an ultra-professional global business that, we are constantly told, is worth €2.5 billion a year. But it's shop window, the racecourse, is, in effect, policed by well-meaning amateur volunteers, different panels of which are dotted around the place. If the industry really cares about public perception it needs to both professionalise and centralise its regulation. There is no reason for running and riding inquiries to be held in a pressurised race-day environment on the ground. Everything that needs to be seen can be seen on camera at a central location by those paid and trained to interpret what's in front of them and correctly process any action that needs to be taken. The betting and racing public are entitled to no less and won't thank anyone for not getting it. Something for the Weekend The weekend highlight is Sunday's French Derby, where once again much pre-race focus will be on the impact of the draw in an 18-runner field. RIDARI (3.05) is in stall 11, a case of could be worse but could be better too. He had to be snatched up in the final strides of the 'Poulains', which cost him places, and better luck now can see the Aga Khan runner go close. The Cork runner-up SAMBA TRAIN (5.20) could progress enough to go one better in Saturday's Listowel finale.
Irish Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Ted Walsh wins appeal against ‘Non-Trier' fine but his runner still banned for 60 days
Trainer and former RTÉ racing pundit Ted Walsh has successfully appealed a €3,000 fine imposed on him under 'Non-Trier' rules at Wexford earlier this month. However, the horse at the centre of the case, Ta Na La, owned by Walsh's wife, Helen, is still suspended from racing following an appeal hearing at the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Monday. As well as fining Walsh, the race-day stewards at Wexford over a week ago suspended Ta Na La from racing for 60 days and banned jockey Shane O'Callaghan for 14 days after the horse finished second in a five-runner novice chase won by Aspire Tower. They concluded that both rider and trainer had breached parts of Rule 212 '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'. READ MORE O'Callaghan opted to not appeal his suspension, but Walsh appealed against his fine and the suspension for Ta Na La was also appealed. The Grand National-winning trainer, still one of racing's best-known figures having stepped down from his RTÉ role in 2023 after 40 years commenting on the sport, was not at Wexford where his official representative, Brendan Brady, accompanied O'Callaghan in the inquiry. On that occasion, O'Callaghan stated that his instructions 'issued directly from the trainer' were to jump and get his mount settled as the mare can be very free in her races. He added he was told to get her jumping well, come home the best she could 'and not to use his whip'. The inquiry also heard that the IHRB vet at the track reported the animal to be post-race normal. The vet reported to the stewards he had received a report from Ta Na La's groom that the horse had 'coughed a few times after being sampled'. Following a hearing that last about an hour on Monday, an IHRB appeals panel kept the suspension on Ta Na La but a spokesperson said: 'Having considered the trainer's evidence they allowed his appeal.' In other news, Camille Pissarro has been installed an early favourite to give Aidan O'Brien a second French classic success this season in Sunday's Qatar Prix Du Jockey Club. Christophe Soumillon riding Camille Pissarro. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty A total of 25 colts remains in the €1.5 million French Derby at Chantilly after the latest acceptance stage with Camille Pissarro topping a quartet from Ballydoyle. The son of Wootten Bassett is already a Group One winner in France having landed last October's Prix Jean Luc Lagadere on Arc day at Longhamp. Runner up on his reappearance in the Gladness Stakes at the Curragh, Camille Pissarro couldn't overcome the impact of a high draw in the French 2000 Guines but ran on notably well to finish third to his stable companion Henri Matisse in the 'Poulains'. 'I think Camille Pissarro looks the one, I would imagine,' O'Brien reported. 'Trinity College was second in the Epsom Trial and it looks like both of those will go.' After many previous attempts, O'Brien finally broke his duck in the French Derby in 2021 through St Mark's Basilica, one of just a trio of Irish winners in the famous race. David O'Brien's Assert made history in 1982 when becoming the first foreign trained French Derby winner under jockey Christy Roche. A year later, Pat Eddery was in the saddle as Caerleon scored for Vincent O'Brien. Ryan Moore is likely to team up with Camille Pissarro and he won the Jockey Club in 2014 on The Grey Gatsby for Kevin Ryan. In recent years the Jockey Club has usually taken place a day after the Epsom Derby but this time is scheduled the weekend before. O'Brien took both Delacroix and The Lion In Winter out of the Chantilly highlight on Monday, indicating both are on target to line up at Epsom. However, Godolphin has left their 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court in the Jockey Club reckoning. Bookmaker reaction was to put Camille Pissarro top of ante-post betting lists at a general 9-2, ahead of Ruling Court and the local hopes Ridari and Cualificar. The latter is also owned by Godolphin and won a Group Three at Chantilly on his last start. Cualificar is a son of O'Brien's 2015 Epsom Oaks winner, Qualify. Ridari, was fifth behind Henri Matisse in the Longchamp Guineas but only after being hampered in the closing stages which dropped him back a number places. O'Brien's French Derby plans also leave it increasingly likely his hopes of a record-extending 11th Epsom Derby victory will revolve around the trio of Delacroix, Lambourn and The Lion In Winter. 'I would imagine Ryan has the choice between them. The horse in the Dante [The Lion In Winter] has to come on and everything has to go right for him, and it has gone right so far. 'Delacroix has done absolutely everything perfect so far. He has done everything right and his preparation has gone perfect' O'Brien said. 'I would imagine Ryan will find it hard it hard not to ride him but that doesn't mean he won't ride him.' His Oaks chances on Friday week are likely to come down the trio of Giselle, Minnie Hauk and Whirl, all major trial winners recently.
Irish Times
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Ted Walsh set to appeal €3,000 fine for breaching ‘non-trier' rules at Wexford
Grand National-winning trainer and former RTÉ racing pundit Ted Walsh has indicated he will appeal the €3,000 fine imposed on him by stewards at Wexford on Saturday under 'non-trier' rules. Ta Na La, owned by Walsh's wife Helen, finished runner-up to Aspire Tower in a novice chase on her first start over fences. The stewards held a running and riding inquiry into the 16-1 shot's performance in which Ta Na La's jockey Shane O'Callaghan stated that his instructions 'issued directly from the trainer' were to jump and get his mount settled as the mare can be very free in her races. He added he was told to get her jumping well, come home the best she could 'and not to use his whip'. READ MORE However, the stewards concluded that both rider and trainer had breached parts of Rule 212 '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'. They fined Walsh €3,000, suspended O'Callaghan for 14 days and banned Ta Na La from running for 60 days. Samples from the horse were taken for further analysis. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board veterinary officer at Wexford reported the animal to be post-race normal. The vet also reported to the stewards he had received a report from Ta Na La's groom that the horse had 'coughed a few times after being sampled'. Walsh, who famously landed the 2000 Aintree Grand National with Papillon ridden by his son Ruby, confirmed to the Racing Post on Sunday he would appeal the verdicts but declined to comment further. The 75-year-old is one of the most recognisable figures in Irish racing. Alongside successful careers as an amateur jockey and then a trainer, in 2023 he stepped down after 40 years as RTÉ racing's best-known analyst of the sport. Walsh's comments sometimes proved as controversial as they were colourful. It is 10 years since he was cleared of wrongdoing by racing's regulatory body over a case involving the horse Foxrock and how it lost its two front shoes in a race at Punchestown. An initial stewards' inquiry on the day heard that the horse had pulled off the shoes during the race. The Turf Club reopened the case after video evidence showed Foxrock wearing the shoes immediately after the race. Walsh was represented by the former minister for justice Michael McDowell in a high-profile hearing in which evidence was heard from figures including Aidan O'Brien and Willie Mullins. It ultimately concluded when a Referrals Committee said it couldn't be sure how the shoes were lost in the aftermath of the race. Field Of Gold, an unlucky runner-up to Ruling Court in the English 2,000 Guineas earlier this month is currently an odds-on favourite to go one better in next weekend's €500,000 highlight at the Curragh. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA In other news, Saturday's Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas card at the Curragh will be included for the first time in Tote World Pool betting. The Hong Kong Jockey Club run pool is the biggest co-mingled market in world racing. The Irish Derby has been included in pool betting for the last two years resulting in a €500,000 pay-off for Irish racing each season, divided between the Curragh, the Tote, and Horse Racing Ireland. It is unclear if a Guineas card featuring the first Irish Classic of 2025 will prove similarly valuable, although for the second year running both of Sunday's Group One contests, the 1,000 Guineas and the Tatts Gold Cup, will also feature in the World Pool. Brian Kavanagh, chief executive at the Curragh, said officials are hopeful of a significant return to the sport from inclusion. 'It relates to the amount of betting that takes place in Hong Kong on these races and some local dynamics can come into play there. The fact we will have international competition with English runners and well-known jockeys is always a factor with punters over there,' he said. 'The ideal field size are eight plus for the races and competitive racing because that allows them to offer not just win and place betting, but some of the exotic bets that punters in Hong Kong seem to like,' he added. Field Of Gold, an unlucky runner-up to Ruling Court in the English 2,000 Guineas earlier this month is currently an odds-on favourite to go one better in next weekend's €500,000 highlight. His Juddmonte ownership could also pitch Cosmic Year into the race. Aidan O'Brien holds a record 12 wins in the Curragh 2,000 Guineas and may supplement Twain into the race at Tuesday's important confirmation stage for the weekend action. O'Brien's Lake Victoria is favourite for the 1,000 Guineas. Dublin footballer Ciarán Kilkenny is part of the ownership of Onemoredance, who bids to follow up a recent Tipperary success in the finale at Roscommon on Monday. She faces a much quicker surface this time, though. Trainer Johnny Murtagh also saddles the stoutly-bred Mocking in an earlier maiden and he is dropping in distance so may be vulnerable to Omni Man.
