Amateur rider Mikey O'Connor banned for two years over point-to-point misconduct

Amateur jockey Mikey O'Connor, who is best known for riding Mick Winters' stable stars For Bill and Rebel Fitz to victory, has been handed a two-year ban due to his misconduct at two point-to-points this year.

A referrals committee at the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board at the Curragh on Monday found O'Connor had breached rule 272(i), in that he acted in a manner prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horseracing.

The first incident that landed O'Connor in hot water took place at Lismore on March 10, while the second occurred at Dromahane on May 5.

At Lismore, a complaint was made regarding O'Connor's conduct with the stewards' secretaries and medical officers at Lismore.

Due to a medical condition, O'Connor is required to present himself to the raceday doctor every day he has a ride.

When concerns were raised about the wellbeing of O'Connor at Lismore, a request was made by Christine Kelly, a stewards' secretary, for the rider to see Dr Anne Sheehan, the IHRB medical officer, but O’Connor failed to cooperate with that request.

In her evidence at Monday's hearing, Kelly said O'Connor was later verbally threatening towards her in the weigh tent area.

Bernard Smullen, another stewards' secretary, added that people had approached him to suggest O'Connor looked ill and as a result of these concerns he approached the rider in the presence of Kelly.

O'Connor informed him that he had been with Dr Joe O'Keeffe, a medical officer, but Smullen said the rider reacted angrily and used threatening behaviour towards him and Kelly during this conversation. Smullen added that O'Connor accused him of bullying him.

In his evidence, O'Connor stated that he made his way to the mobile medical unit on arrival at Lismore but there was no doctor available to see him at the time. He then proceeded to walk the track before presenting himself to Dr O'Keeffe, who found him fit to ride.

O'Connor denied feeling unwell on the day, stating he had sustained an injury during a race as a possible explanation for why people felt he looked unwell.

He admitted to having a conversation with Kelly and Smullen but challenged the truthfulness of their evidence.

The second referral related to an incident at Dromahane where, following the fifth race, Kelly overheard an altercation between riders in the weigh room and asked for the jockeys to tone it down.

When this failed, she asked Smullen to intervene. O'Connor again accused Smullen of bullying and a stewards' inquiry was then called.

Given the seriousness of his misconduct on the two days, the committee imposed a two-year ban but invited O'Connor to ask for the decision to be reviewed in 12 months.

However, any further breach of rule 272(i) within a 12-month period would reactivate the suspended portion of the penalty.

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