JOCKEY Philip Byrnes has explained his actions and admitted to being “deeply embarrassed” by his controversial unseat from Redwood Queen in a Wexford claiming hurdle - an incident the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board allege was a “deliberate act” during a close-to-10-hour hearing on Monday.

Debate has raged around the race in question from May 28th this year, when Byrnes approached the final hurdle with the race at his mercy aboard Redwood Queen, a mare trained by his father Charles and owned by his brother Cathal. However, horse and rider dramatically parted company on the landing side of the hurdle, leaving 1/3 favourite Beacon Edge to come home a clear winner. Redwood Queen had been extremely easy to back beforehand, returning at 13/2 (from a morning price of 6/4 and an opening ring price of 7/2).