PAT Kelly has had his training licence suspended but is free to apply to have the suspension reviewed if he can satisfy the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board’s [IHRB] Referrals Committee that he has addressed issues arising from two inspections of his Co Galway yard.

Kelly, who has trained two Cheltenham Festival winners and twice saddled the Galway Hurdle winner, was put on notice a week ago that he would be suspended if he failed to engage with the IHRB in relation to concerns raised following a January 2026 inspection.

Ironically, Kelly did not have a runner this year until last Monday at Roscommon.

On Tuesday the Referrals Committee, chaired by Mr Justice Frank Clarke, reconvened to consider the matter. The Committee heard that a second inspection was carried out on Kelly’s premises on July 2nd and that, while the trainer did engage with inspectors, there remained “some concerns regarding the management of the training premises”.

Having considered the engagement from Kelly, including contact he made with the IHRB on the day of the reconvened hearing, and noting the trainer’s “imposition and personal circumstances”, the Committee determined that the suspension should take effect immediately.

Issuing its decision, the Referrals Committee emphasised that “engagement with the IHRB is a fundamental obligation of every licensed trainer and that compliance with the Rules of Racing requires ongoing cooperation with the IHRB’s regulatory processes.” The Committee further noted the continuing regulatory concerns arising in this matter.

Should Kelly wish to apply for the suspension to be reviewed, he may make an application to the Referrals Committee, on notice to the IHRB.

Upon any such application, the Committee will require to be satisfied, on the evidence presented, that Kelly has fully engaged with the IHRB, has complied with his continuing obligations under the Rules of Racing, has provided accurate and up-to-date contact information to the IHRB, and that the regulatory concerns which gave rise to the suspension have been satisfactorily addressed or are demonstrably in the course of being remedied.