CHARLES Byrnes is contemplating appealing the decision of the stewards at Gowran Park on Wednesday to find him in breach of Rule 212A (i), in that both he and jockey Gearoid Brouder “were involved in the running and/or riding of a horse in a race, who deliberately or recklessly causes or permitted a horse to run other than on its merits.”

In a one-mile-six-furlong handicap, the seven-year-old Ellaat, sent off 3/1 favourite, looked to be tenderly handled to make his challenge in the straight, staying on to finish fourth, beaten just under five lengths by Sequoiaspirit.

Brouder dismounted the horse on his way back in, and later told the stewards he felt he was “leg weary” while Byrnes expressed his discontent with the ride given. He accepted it “wasn’t pretty viewing”.

The trainer was fined €6,000, Ellaat is suspended from running for 90 days and Brouder was given a 21-day suspension. Byrnes will have to decide today whether to appeal, if he hasn’t already.

Speaking after he saddled a winner at Clonmel on Thursday, Byrnes said: “I haven’t made up my mind yet whether to appeal or not.

“I’m very disappointed with the decision to find me guilty as I clearly stated I wasn’t happy with the ride. The horse is valueless after it (suspended until August 8th) as he is a summer horse.”

DARLEY has extended its backing of Irish racing by sponsoring a series of five races for fillies this season, with prize money levels boosted in the selected blacktype contests.

The move, announced this week, sees enhanced pots from €55,000 and €75,000, starting with the new Listed Kooyonga Stakes over a mile at Navan on June 11th. Cork’s Group 3 Munster Oaks over a mile and a half on June 16th and the Group 3 Brownstown Stakes at Fairyhouse over seven furlongs on July 12th also feature in the summer period, followed by the Listed Hurry Harriet Stakes over an extended mile and one furlong at Gowran Park on August 16th.

The quintet of blacktype races is rounded off by the Listed Brigid’s Pastures Stakes over six furlongs at the Curragh on October 7th.

Darley director of stallions Sam Bullard said: “For many years Darley has supported the industry through sponsorship and the enhancement of the prize money for these races further demonstrates our commitment to Irish racing and breeding, together with an exciting roster that includes several young stallions at Kildangan Stud.

“This, coupled with the recently announced development fund initiative in the UK, broadens Darley’s support of European racing and we are delighted to take on these new sponsorships.”

Eamon Moloney, nominations manager at Kildangan Stud, added, “The Irish Listed programme gives an opportunity for talented fillies to differentiate themselves. We are delighted to be supporting this series of races as an additional contribution to our longstanding support of prize money through the Irish European Breeders’ Fund.”