Luke Dace / Keltic Heritage Appeal

Published: 3 January 2002

The Disciplinary Committee of the Jockey Club on 3rd January 2002 considered an appeal lodged by Luke Dace, the trainer of KELTIC HERITAGE (IRE), against the decision of the Stewards at Exeter on 23rd November 2001, to find that the winner, BORING GORING (IRE), ridden by Matthew Batchelor, did not improve its placing as a result of the interference with KELTIC HERITAGE (IRE), and to leave the placings unaltered.

The Committee heard evidence from Dace’s legal representative, Colin Bolger, the rider of KELTIC HERITAGE (IRE), and Matthew Batchelor, the rider of BORING GORING (IRE). It also viewed video recordings of the race.

Having considered the evidence, the Committee found that BORING GORING (IRE) had interfered with KELTIC HERITAGE (IRE) after the last flight of hurdles and that the interference was accidental.

The Committee was not satisfied that BORING GORING (IRE) had improved its placing in respect of the interference with KELTIC HERITAGE (IRE), in that immediately before the interference BORING GORING (IRE) appeared the likely winner. It therefore dismissed the appeal and confirmed the placings of BORING GORING (IRE) first and KELTIC HERITAGE (IRE) second. It ordered the deposit to be returned.