Systems breakdown: review after horse mistakenly withdrawn before Curragh run

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board is to review raceday stabling procedures at the Curragh after a "systems breakdown" saw a horse withdrawn as a non-runner in error before being reinstated as a runner on Friday night.

A Few Bob Short, trained by Galway handler Shane Ryder, was declared to run in the second division of the 1m4f Sky Bet Handicap, but news that the horse had been withdrawn filtered through within the hour leading up to the off at 6.15pm.

Confirmation that he had been taken out in error became available to the betting public around 6pm.

Ryder, who was exonerated of all blame by the IHRB, arrived at the Curragh for his first runner at the track more than two hours before the off and entered an area known as Murless's yard through a security gate without being stopped.

He did not leave his runner unattended at any time thereafter and nobody approached him from the IHRB veterinary unit. He led his horse to the stable number he had been assigned via text message from the regulatory body.

However, having gained access to the stables through what is understood to be a less commonly used gate than the main yard – where all horses must be presented on arrival – A Few Bob Short had effectively not been in the general entrance area for identification prior to racing.

IHRB chief veterinary officer Dr Lynn Hillyer stated in a subsequent inquiry that her team had no record of the Flat handicapper having arrived on site, adding that a veterinary team member had gone to Murless's yard but was not able to locate the horse.

Shane Ryder: trainer of A Few Bob Short was exonerated of all blameCredit: Patrick McCann

It is understood that the 59-rated performer was in the pre-parade ring at this stage and, as the deadline for arriving before the race had passed, Hillyer took the view that he had not arrived at the stable yard, informing the stewards, who subsequently withdrew the 12-1 shot.

The stewards' report explained that A Few Bob Short had been withdrawn "because there was a systems breakdown on the part of IHRB security as acknowledged by [IHRB senior security officer] Chris Gordon, together with the failure on the part of the IHRB veterinary team".

The stewards reinstated the winner promptly, with an eventful evening for the gelding's connections not getting any better when the mount of Joey Sheridan finished 15th of the 16 runners.

A spokesperson for the IHRB said: "There was a systems breakdown that was of absolutely no blame to Shane Ryder, who did nothing wrong.

"Ahead of the next meeting at the Curragh, the circumstances surrounding this incident will be looked at and we'll make sure there is no possibility of a repeat."

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