Philip Byrnes cleared of deliberately falling off horse

The eight-month investigation into Philip Byrnes' unseat from Redwood Queen has concluded and the case against the rider has been dismissed, Racing TV can reveal.

The conclusion to the case comes nearly seven weeks after dual Grand National-winning rider Leighton Aspell said he believed Byrnes' departure from the mare at Wexford in May was a "deliberate act" in evidence presented at an Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board referrals committee hearing, at which legendary former rider Davy Russell gave evidence to support Byrnes.

The IHRB had alleged that the jockey did not fulfil his obligation to allow his mount to run on its merits due to deliberately leaving the saddle at the final hurdle at Wexford on May 28. 

The mare's trainer at the time, Charles Byrnes, had said that neither he nor his son Philip had anything to answer for and blamed the IHRB's investigation on the authorities feeling the need to "please these faceless people on social media".

Although the race-day stewards took no action against Byrnes on the day, the IHRB said the following morning that it would review the incident. It announced in October that Charles and Philip Byrnes were scheduled to appear before a referrals committee, which took place in mid-December.

At the referrals hearing, equestrian John Watson and Russell gave evidence in support of Philip Byrnes. Watson said Byrnes was "out of alignment with the horse", but "was determined (and) made a good effort" to maintain the partnership.

Russell "disagreed wholeheartedly" with the view Byrnes had come off the horse deliberately, blaming "indecision from the rider". It was, said Russell, an "unwritten rule (as a rider that you) don't bail out".

Philip Byrnes has ridden 15 winners in Ireland this season.