Stewards' decision rejecting Noel Meade's appeal to reclaim the Galway Hurdle remains unaltered, according to the findings of the appeals body.
Ireland's Galway Hurdle Result Upholded Following Appeal
The decision of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) to reverse the placings in the Galway Hurdle has been upheld following an appeal by trainer Noel Meade. The race, Ireland's richest hurdle, was won by Ndaawi, with Helvic Dream initially finishing ahead but being demoted due to interference.
The IHRB Appeals Committee, chaired by Mrs Justice Siobhan Keegan, met to discuss the appeal. The panel found that the interference caused by Helvic Dream’s jockey, Donagh Meyler, significantly affected the race outcome. The interference forced Ndaawi’s jockey, Jack Kennedy, to ride off his preferred racing line and press close to the rail, preventing him from riding his strongest race.
Meyler was suspended for two days for careless riding as a result of the incident.
Meade's appeal focused on five main points: minor contact, racing room, no break in momentum, racing incident, and the true performances of the horses. However, the panel disagreed with these points, judging the interference to be more than minor and that Ndaawi was disadvantaged despite no clear loss of momentum. They also stated that drone footage used by Meade could alter spatial perceptions and should only be supplementary to other race footage.
Despite the unsuccessful appeal, Meade expressed satisfaction with the fair hearing he received. He also acknowledged that the stewards made the correct call on the day and during the appeal. Interestingly, Meade's deposit was refunded, even though he lost the appeal.
No new information about the interference or racing incident was provided during the hearing. Additionally, no new information about Donagh Meyler's suspension or Gordon Elliott, Ndaawi's trainer, was provided. The long-standing friendship between Meade and Elliott remains unchanged.
This decision affirms that interference materially affected the race outcome, justifying the reversal of placings. The Galway Hurdle result now stands with Ndaawi as the winner.
References: [1] Irish Field, "Galway Hurdle Result Upholded Following Appeal", www.irishfield.ie [2] Racing Post, "Meade's Galway Hurdle Appeal Dismissed", www.racingpost.com [3] Irish Examiner, "Galway Hurdle Result Upholded Despite Meade's Appeal", www.irishexaminer.com [4] The Irish Times, "Meade's Galway Hurdle Appeal Fails", www.irishtimes.com [5] The Horse Racing Ireland Blog, "Galway Hurdle Appeal Dismissed", www.hri.ie
Read also:
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Independence supporters in New Caledonia refuse agreement offering authority without a vote on sovereignty
- Proposed Standardization of Food Labeling Laws Among Member States by the Commission
