STEPHEN Mahon has had six months shaved off his original four-year training ban but he is not guaranteed to have his licence restored should he apply for it in 2024.

Mahon had his licence withdrawn in June following a Referrals Committee hearing which found that he had neglected or failed to adequately care for up to 10 horses at his training premises in Kilcolgan, Co Galway.

One horse had to be put down immediately on veterinary advice. Others were described as injured, in pain, “emaciated” or in need of veterinary attention. Mahon was also ordered to pay €5,000 in costs.

He appealed the decision and his case was heard on July 31st. The Appeals Body published its decision yesterday morning.

The main crux of the appeal centred on the Referrals Committee’s view on the treatment of Geoffrey’s Girl. This horse suffered a catastrophic fetlock injury which Mahon said happened on the morning of the IHRB inspection, April 13th this year. The IHRB asserted the injury was more likely to have occurred over a week earlier.

The Appeals Panel did not feel there was enough evidence to uphold the IHRB’s view of what happened to Geoffrey’s Girl and this is mainly why they lessened Mahon’s suspension by six months.

It was also recognised by the Appeals Panel that the Referrals Committee had erred in its original findings by confusing two other horses in Mahon’s care, effectively finding him guilty twice of the same offence in relation to a horse named Beer With The Boys.

However, the Appeals Panel concluded “that having regard to the totality of the evidence ... Mr Mahon’s conduct as a licenced trainer fell well below the standard reasonably expected.”

They continued: “It is manifestly clear that Mr Mahon’s conduct is injurious to the good reputation of horse racing. As a licence holder, he failed in his duties towards the horses in his care by failing to adequately supervise them and to identify even their most basic welfare needs.”

The Appeals Panel affirmed the decision of the Referrals Committee to order Mahon to pay €5,000 towards the costs of the original hearing “but will make no further order for costs on the appeal in circumstances where Mr Mahon succeeded on a limited basis.”

Mahon is not a ‘disqualified’ person and is free to work in racing and attend meetings. He has represented trainer Pat Kelly at the races this summer and is facing another hearing over an incident between himself and an IHRB employee at Tipperary Racecourse in July.

In 2008 Mahon lost his trainer’s licence for a four-month period following a court case in which he was ordered to pay €34,000 to an owner whose horse Mahon was found to have mistreated.

The Appeals Body consisted by Mr Justice Nial Fennelly, Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds and John Murphy. Mahon was represented by Seamus Clarke, SC, instructed by solicitor Patrick Ward. Frank Crean, barrister, represented the IHRB.