IHRB referral to be revealed after investigation into Dundalk claimer

A date has been set for a referral hearing into events surrounding a contentious race at Dundalk more than three and a half years ago, as a result of what an Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board statement describes as “a comprehensive investigation”.

The hearing will take place on November 11 and 12 at the IHRB headquarters in The Curragh.

There was considerable controversy surrounding the all-weather claimer on March 20, 2020 that featured the Denis Hogan-trained pair Tony The Gent and Yuften. Both ran in the colours of James McAuley, who is now also a licensed trainer.

Yuften was expected to go off a short-priced favourite but drifted markedly from an opening price of 8/11 to go off at 6/4. After a very slow start, the horse finished well to be runner-up to its stablemate, which was backed into 10/11 from 15/8. The gelding was subsequently found to be lame by an IHRB veterinary officer.

The stewards inquired into the running and riding of Yuften, with jockey JJ Doyle [Joe] reporting that he had been instructed to sit in third or fourth early on but that his horse had missed the kick and moved poorly, got stuck behind horses and did not have enough pace to reel in Tony The Gent.

Hogan told stewards that he had been unhappy with the ride initially but after speaking to Doyle, felt his charge could not have finished any closer.

Having heard the evidence, which also included the consideration of betting patterns, the matter was referred to the IHRB.

There has been much speculation about the status of the investigation in the intervening years and it is known that the British Horseracing Authority, which monitors betting trends for the IHRB, was involved as an international betting element was investigated.

As recently as Monday night, banned trainer Ronan McNally said in a Spaces interview on X (formerly Twitter) with Gearoid Norris (@icyestretro) that he had been told the investigation had been dropped by the IHRB.

This has proven unfounded however, with proceedings now moving to the next phase, as confirmed by an IHRB statement issued to this reporter in response to queries about the status of the case and what might be causing such a delay.

With regard to the latter question, the statement said that no comment would be made on any anything to do with the case while it was ongoing,

“Following the Crowne Plaza Dundalk Claiming Race on 20th March 2020, the Raceday Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Yuften, ridden by JJ Doyle [Joe] and trained by Denis Hogan,” the statement begins.

“Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards referred the matter to the IHRB for further investigation. A comprehensive investigation has concluded and a Referral Hearing into the matter is scheduled to take place on the 11th and 12th November.

“Detailed reports of all IHRB Referral and Appeal Hearings are published on our website once the Panel has given its verdict. The IHRB does not comment on individual disciplinary matters until hearings are complete.”