Ted Walsh has €3,000 fine rescinded but horse still banned for 60 days after running and riding appeal

Ted Walsh has been successful with his appeal against a €3,000 fine following the run of Ta Na La at Wexford on May 17, but the horse's 60-day suspension has not been lifted following a hearing that lasted over an hour on Monday.

Ta Na La was beaten four and a quarter lengths into second by Aspire Tower in a 2m novice chase and the Wexford stewards on the day found Walsh and jockey Shane O'Callaghan in breach of rule 212, satisfied that the rider was not seen to have attempted to obtain from his mount timely, real and substantial efforts to achieve the best possible place.

The winner had a rating of 142, while Ta Na La was a 109-rated hurdler in receipt of 18lb on his first run over fences. 

Walsh was handed a €3,000 fine, with O'Callaghan given a 14-day suspension and the horse banned for 60 days. O'Callaghan did not appeal, but Walsh did and was successful in a hearing at the headquarters of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. 

The appeal was chaired by Siobhan Keegan, with John Murphy and Nick Wachman also on the panel, and they rescinded Walsh's fine, but did not quash the ban handed to Ta Na La, who will remain out of action until late July. 

Niall Cronin, communications manager for the IHRB, said of the appeal: "Having considered the evidence of the trainer, who wasn’t present on the day, the appeals body allowed the appeal relating to the sanction of €3,000 imposed on Mr Walsh. However, the 60-day suspension imposed on Ta Na La was upheld as a consequence of the rider's actions."

When interviewed by the Wexford stewards on the day, O'Callaghan stated that "his instructions, issued directly from the trainer, were to jump off and get his mount settled as she can be very free in her races. He further added he was told to get her jumping well, come home the best he could and not to use his whip".

Ta Na La, a six-year-old mare, was sent off at 16-1 for what was her chasing debut at Wexford. She now has a record under rules of just one win from 28 starts, the victory coming over hurdles at Bellewstown last July.

Read more:

Ted Walsh to appeal after being hit with €3,000 fine and jockey and horse suspended following running and riding inquiry 

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