SHARK Hanlon has been fined €2,500 for verbally abusing clerk of the course Paul Moloney at Listowel on June 1st. The trainer was originally fined €250 on the day but the case was reconsidered by the Referrals Committee last Tuesday following an application by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), who contended that the original fine was too lenient.

On Tuesday, the Referrals Committee of Justice Siobhan Keegan (Chair), Laurence McFerran and Anthony Byrne heard evidence from Hanlon, Moloney and IHRB employees Jennifer Walsh, Colman Sweeney and Michael Doyle.

Sweeney, a stipendary steward, said he witnessed the exchange between Hanlon on Moloney regarding ground conditions.

He said he made a contemporaneous note of the interaction and described the conduct as involving “repeated verbal abuse, aggressive, demeaning, crude and profane language”, and humiliation of an IHRB official in a public setting.

Doyle, assistant to the clerk of the scales, described the interaction as “loud, aggressive, crude and highly demeaning” towards Moloney. He further confirmed that it was protracted and occurred in full view and earshot of others present in and around the weigh room. Doyle said Moloney remained calm throughout the interaction and was not discourteous towards Hanlon.

Moloney described the encounter as “a horrific, humiliating and demeaning experience” which occurred in a public setting while he was carrying out his duties. He said the incident had a significant effect upon him.

In his evidence, although he disputed his use of a particular slur, Hanlon accepted the breach and apologised for his conduct. He stated that he had become angry regarding the watering of the racecourse and accepted that he had behaved inappropriately towards Moloney. Hanlon acknowledged that such conduct would not be acceptable in his own workplace, expressed regret for the incident and gave an undertaking that there would be no repetition of this type of behaviour.

In arriving at their decision, the Referrals Committee said that the repeated nature of the abusive behaviour was an aggravating factor, as was the fact that it was in public, and that it had an impact on Moloney.

They said Hanlon’s apology was a mitigating factor “although it is regrettable that he did not pick that up as a personal apology to Mr Moloney thereafter.”

Another mitigating factor, they said, was that this was the first time that Hanlon has come before the IHRB for this type of offence. “Given the severity of the behaviour, we increase the fine to €2,500 for the breach of Rule 272(iii). We also warn, that if there is a repeat of this behaviour, what is likely is a suspension of licence.”

Handicap mark appeal

Trainer Thomas Dowling lost his appeal against the decision taken by the official handicappers to raise the handicap mark of Spirit Of Eagles from 40 to 59 following her win in a Fairyhouse claiming race on May 28th.

The Handicapping Appeals Committee noted that the trainer’s case that his filly should have been raised “in the region of 7lb or 8lb” was not supported by any evidence, while the handicapper had submitted “a thorough response”.

Jockey appeals

Jump jockey Ricky Doyle was successful in his appeal against a seven-day improper riding ban he picked up at Punchestown on June 7th for an incident which happened after the finish line in a handicap hurdle.

Following a tight three-way finish which saw Doyle’s mount lose out by a neck to Smackwater Jack, ridden by Ethan O’Sullivan, the raceday stewards took the view that Doyle had “purposefully interfered” with O’Sullivan by “reaching out and giving him a push”.

Doyle had told the stewards on the day that O’Sullivan’s saddle had slipped and he reached out to help O’Sullivan stay in the saddle. O’Sullivan gave the same explanation but the stewards still issued the suspension to Doyle.

The Appeals Body agreed with Doyle that the raceday stewards erred in their decision.

However, the Appeals Body also considered an application made by the IHRB regarding “Mr Doyle’s conduct” and imposed a fine of €250.

Jockey Andrew Slattery will appear before the Appeals Panel on Tuesday. He has lodged an appeal against the decision of the raceday stewards at Gowran Park on June 12th to suspend him for eight days for careless riding.

Slattery received the ban for his ride on Lauderdale King, who finished fourth in the final race of the evening, won by Faro Island.

The rider was found responsible for interference to Wayne Lordan’s mount Booklight in an incident at the brow of the hill in the back straight.