TRAINER Thomond O’Mara has been fined €10,000 and ordered to pay €5,000 in legal costs by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.

O’Mara, who is based in Fethard and is a well-known vendor at bloodstock sales under the Knockanglasss Stables banner, was reported to the stewards at Cork Racecourse in November following “an altercation” between the trainer and clerk of the course Paul Moloney.

Moloney told the stewards that, after the third race, he was “both verbally and physically abused” by O’Mara. Moloney stated that he was approached by O’Mara “who became increasingly abusive and aggressive towards him which resulted in Mr O’Mara becoming physical.”

The stewards sought to hear evidence from O’Mara but the trainer informed them he would not be attending, and so the matter was referred on to IHRB headquarters. On Wednesday the Referrals Committee heard the case, again in the absence of O’Mara.

On top of the financial penalties, O’Mara was given a three-year suspension but that penalty was suspended for three years.