Amir Quinn

The Disciplinary Panel of the BHA on Thursday 15 May 2014 held an enquiry to establish whether or not Amir Quinn had committed a breach of Schedule (B)6 Part 2 of the Rules of Racing concerning his use of the whip when riding BORN TO SURPRISE, the winner, in the totepool.com Handicap Stakes at Lingfield Park on 10 May 2014. The matter was referred to the BHA by the Lingfield Stewards following an enquiry on the same day because this was Quinn’s fifth offence of mis-use of the whip, warranting a suspension of between two to six days, in the last six months.

The Panel heard submissions from Quinn’s legal representative, and viewed recordings of the race.

The Panel accepted Quinn’s admission that he was guilty of misuse of the whip in that he had used his whip on his horse above the permitted level. It considered that the breach would have warranted a suspension of two days.

Taking into account that Quinn:
i) had committed five whip breaches (3 x 2 days and 2 x 4 days), since 27 February; and
ii) had had 22 rides over this period
it suspended him from riding for 24 days, of which eight days will be deferred for six weeks until Sunday 20 July 2014. The suspension will run from Friday 23 May until Sunday 8 June 2014 inclusive, on days on which flat racing is scheduled to take place.

Phillip Makin

The Disciplinary Panel of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on Thursday 15 May 2014 held an enquiry to establish whether or not Phillip Makin, the rider of WE’LL DEAL AGAIN, place third in the totetrifecta Available On All Races Handicap Stakes at Musselburgh on 18 April, had committed a breach of Rule (B)67.4.3 of the Rules of Racing in that he had weighed in at 9st 0lb having weighed out at 8st 12lb. The matter was referred to the BHA by the Musselburgh Stewards following their enquiry of the same day, because this was Makin’s third breach of Rule (B)67.4.3 within a 12 month period.

The Panel heard submissions from Makin’s legal representative.

The Panel accepted an admission from Makin that he was in breach of Rule (B)67.4.3 and suspended him for 10 days from Friday 23 May 2014 until Monday 2 June 2014 on days on which flat racing is scheduled to take place.


Johnny Farrelly

The Disciplinary Panel of the BHA held an enquiry on Thursday 15 May 2014 into a report that BATTLE GROUP, trained by Johnny Farrelly, had refused to race in the Coral Scottish National Handicap Steeple Chase on 12 April 2014. The matter was referred to the BHA by the Ayr Stewards following their enquiry of the same day, because the gelding had also refused to race at Newbury on 30 November 2013 and at Aintree on 5 April 2014.

The Panel heard submissions from Farrelly.

Having considered the evidence, the Panel decided not to exercise its powers under Rule (F)66 of the Rules of Racing and place a restriction on the gelding being entered and run. However, the Panel directed that if BATTLE GROUP refuses to start or is reluctant to race in the future the matter should be referred back to the BHA.

Brian Eillison

The Disciplinary Panel of the BHA on Thursday 15 May 2014 held an enquiry to establish whether or not Brian Ellison, a licensed trainer, had committed a breach of Rule (C)12 of the Rules of Racing concerning his failure to check the identity of NORTHGATE LAD (IRE) and the unnamed 2012 grey colt by DARK ANGEL (IRE) ex CANOSA (IRE) from the markings shown in the colts’ respective passports as soon as they came into his care. The matter was reported to the BHA by the Veterinary Officer on duty at Doncaster on 29 March 2014 following his inability to be able to identify the colt presented to him as NORTHGATE LAD (IRE) from its markings, which also resulted in the colt being prevented from running.

The Panel accepted an admission from Ellison that he was in breach of Rule (C)12 in that after NORTHGATE LAD (IRE) and the unnamed 2012 grey colt by DARK ANGEL (IRE) ex CANOSA (IRE) had been purchased in Ireland they had both been sent to the same stud before coming into training. Unfortunately, their identities had been mixed up and none of the necessary checks of the colts’ identities had been carried out on arrival at the yard.

The Panel imposed a fine of £850 upon him.

Arena Racing Company

The Disciplinary Panel of the BHA on Thursday 15 May 2014 held an enquiry to consider whether or not the Arena Racecourse Company, the Managing Executive of Newcastle Racecourse, had committed a breach of Rule (F)15.3.4 of the Rules of Racing, in that the Executive failed to carry out its responsibility to ensure that the course and fences were maintained in good condition prior to the running of the CBBF HP, Leasing and Refinance Handicap Steeple Chase on 4 March 2014.

The Panel noted that due to checks of the fences not being carried out prior to the race it was not identified that a bunker rake from the adjacent golf course had been left resting on the guard rail of the second last fence.

Having considered the evidence, the Panel accepted a written admission from the Executive that it was in breach of Rule (F)15.3.4.

Taking into account the steps that the Executive had subsequently implemented to avoid any repetition, the Panel fined the Executive £2,000.

Dr R D P Newland & Rebecca Curtis

The Disciplinary Panel of the BHA on Thursday 15 May 2014 considered the ongoing record of breaches committed since 1 January 2014 by the trainers listed below in respect of their failures to ensure compliance with the sponsorship guidelines for their respective yards. Under Rule (A)39 of the Rules of Racing the Panel imposed the following fines:
Dr R D P Newland £150
Rebecca Curtis £150

Notes to editors:

1. The Panel for the enquiries was: William Barlow (Chair), Celina Carter, Roger Bellamy

For more information contact:

Robin Mounsey
British Horseracing Authority
t:02071520048
m:07584171551
e: [email protected]