Investigation Regarding the Dethroning of Redwood Queen Approaching Final Stages, According to IHRB
Investigation into Redwood Queen Unseating Nears Conclusion
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) is nearing a conclusion in its investigation into the unseating of jockey Philip Byrnes from Redwood Queen at Wexford racecourse in May 2025.
The incident, which occurred at the final flight of a claiming hurdle race on May 28, has been the subject of much discussion due to Redwood Queen's odds drifting significantly before the incident. Following the race, the mare was claimed by another trainer.
The unseating of Byrnes was described by some TV pundits as a "soft unseat," suggesting that the horse appeared to jump the obstacle well. However, the exact circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation.
Charles Byrnes, Redwood Queen's previous trainer and Philip’s father, commented on the incident, stating that Redwood Queen came up out of Byrnes's hands and blew him out of the saddle. Byrnes and his father have both maintained that they had nothing improper to answer for.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Redwood Queen is set to return to the racetrack under new ownership, the Del Boy Partnership. The mare, who has won five races in her 17-race career, will be ridden by amateur rider Rob James and will carry topweight in a handicap race at Galway on Wednesday evening.
The IHRB has emphasized that their Racing Regulation and Integrity department is committed to concluding the matter thoroughly and fairly, respecting due process. No formal conclusion or disciplinary outcome has been announced yet, but the investigation is close to being completed.
[1] Racing Post, "IHRB investigates unseating of Philip Byrnes on Redwood Queen," May 30, 2025. [2] Irish Independent, "Redwood Queen claimed for €6,000 following unseating of Philip Byrnes," May 31, 2025. [3] RTE, "Charles Byrnes: Redwood Queen came up out of Philip Byrnes's hands and blew him out of the saddle," June 1, 2025. [4] IHRB, "Update on investigation into unseating of jockey Philip Byrnes from Redwood Queen," July 25, 2025.
The IHRB's Racing Regulation and Integrity department is currently investigating an unusual incident in horse-racing, the unseating of jockey Philip Byrnes from horse Redwood Queen during a claiming hurdle race at Wexford racecourse. This racing incident has sparked interest due to Redwood Queen's significant odds fluctuations before the incident.
