Result of an appeal (S Manana) heard by the Disciplinary Panel on Friday 29 May, and a finding regarding penalty (Richie McGrath)
Saeed Manana
The Disciplinary Panel of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on Friday 29 May considered an appeal lodged by Mr Saeed Manana, the owner of URBAN CASTLE (USA), against the decision of the Newmarket Stewards on 14 May 2015 to find URBAN CASTLE (USA), ridden by Silvestre de Sousa and trained by James Tate, had accidentally interfered with EXCELLENT PUCK (IRE) placed second in the Chassis Cab DAF Handicap Race, ridden by Jamie Spencer and trained by Shaun Lycett, and that the interference had improved URBAN CASTLE (USA)’s placing and to reverse the placings.
The Panel dismissed the appeal and the placings remain remain reversed. The Panel directed that the deposit for the appeal should be returned. Full written reasons for their decision will be issued in due course.
Richie McGrath
The Disciplinary Panel has already provided reasons for its decision that Richie McGrath was in breach of Rule (B)58 of the Rules of Racing in respect of his ride of RUMBLE OF THUNDER (IRE) at Fakenham on 1 January 2011.
This breach was characterised as a “Case 1” breach as described in Rule (B)59.2, which amounted to schooling in public. Having given to the parties a preliminary indication of its approach to penalty in the circumstances of this case, and having received the BHA’s notification that it was not contending for any suspension or fine, the Panel decided not to impose any penalty.
This sort of breach, occurring so long ago, was not the focus of the inquiry which led to a general acquittal for McGrath. It was not appropriate to subject him to a suspension (usual in schooling cases) in all the circumstances.
