Trainer Brian McMahon appeals against €6,000 fine for running and riding breach

Trainer Brian McMahon has lodged an appeal against a €6,000 fine after being found in breach of rule 212 in relation to the running and riding of 150-1 shot Longhouse Force at Thurles last month.

Jockey Eoin Mahon received a 21-day ban while his four-year-old mount, who was beaten 15 and a half lengths in sixth in a maiden hurdle, was suspended from running for 90 days.

At the initial running and riding inquiry on the day of the race, McMahon's authorised representative stated that the Sageburg gelding gurgled in two previous races, something that had not previously been reported.

Mahon also said the horse had gurgled on the day at Thurles, which was not reported prior to the inquiry, with stewards referring the matter for further consideration.

In his evidence at the referral last week, the trainer apologised for failing to report that Longhouse Force had gurgled in his previous two races, explaining that he had two runners in both races and it had slipped his mind to submit the report.

Eoin Mahon: rider of Longhouse Force at Thurles last monthCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

County Galway-based McMahon later suggested wind surgery seemingly had failed to work, given the horse worked well at home but failed to reproduce that on the track even with the application of a tongue-tie.

He added that Mahon was faced with a difficult decision as the horse was making a noise from the fourth-last hurdle, but he was also "trying to hold on to him for a strong, late finish to try and satisfy the owner".

McMahon said he could not criticise the ride and felt he finished as close as he could, adding that it had subsequently been discovered the horse had a heart murmur.

Mahon confirmed he was happy with the horse throughout the race until he began to gurgle at the fourth-last, and from that point he tried to nurse the horse home because he was conscious the owner had wanted to see more from the horse on this occasion.

Mahon accepted he was not at his strongest in the closing stages but suggested he regretted not pulling up Longhouse Force because of the noise he was making.

The rider said he was informed of being needed for a stewards' inquiry as he approached the scales, and at that point forgot to report that the horse had gurgled.

Following a referral last week, both the trainer and jockey were deemed to have been "involved in the running and/or riding of a horse in a race who deliberately or recklessly caused or permitted a horse to run other than on its merits".

Mister Blue Sky: running and riding referral held into his Fairyhouse appearance last yearCredit: Patrick McCann

They were also found to have contributed to the performance "in such a way that the horse cannot be seen to have been the subject of a genuine attempt to obtain from the horse timely, real and substantial efforts to achieve the best possible place".

No date has yet been set for the appeal to be heard.

A separate running and riding referral also took place on the same afternoon concerning the run of Mister Blue Sky in a 1m4f handicap at Fairyhouse in June 2020.

The stewards wished to hold an inquiry on the day but were unable to do so as trainer Willie Mullins' authorised representative had already left the racecourse.

Having considered the evidence of Mullins and jockey Seamie Heffernan, the panel noted the explanations offered and took no further action.

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