Watch: Connor hit with 14-day ban for mistaking winning post
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sun 1 Feb 2026
There was a dramatic conclusion to the Coolmore N.H. Sires Los Angeles Irish EBF Mares I.N.H. Flat Race with amateur rider Stephen Connor given a 14-day suspension after mistaking the winning post on Royal Hillsborough, allowing Moonverrin to get back up and win.
Martin Hassett’s 20-1 shot Moonverrin looked set to secure an authoritative success in the Grade Two finale after being pushed into the lead by Finian Maguire, but soon began to wander under pressure.
Royal Hillsborough, a 9-1 chance trained by Stuart Crawford, was able to close the gap and edged to the front inside the final furlong, but Connor stopped riding passing the 50-yard marker, giving Moonverrin another bite of the cherry and she was able to get back up and score by a short head.
Winning train Hassett said: “I’m speechless, it’s the first time ever!
“This is for all the lads at home. It’s not just me, it’s all the boys at home.
“It looked down the back like she was struggling but she just devoured the ground and came home like a train, but she had to battle at the same time.
“It’s our first graded winner and it’s special, especially at the Dublin Racing Festival.
“She’s going to be entered in everything but whether we go to Cheltenham or wait for the mares’ races, we’ll see.”
The Raceday Stewards interviewed Connor, who who stated that he glanced up at the big screen and thought the 50 yard marker was the winning post.
Having viewed the recording and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards found the rider in breach of R212A (iv)(a)(stopped riding and lost out on a place) and having considered his clean record, they suspended him for 14 race days.
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