Licensed trainer Keiran Burke and registered owner Anthony Knott have been informed they will be required to attend a Disciplinary Panel hearing to consider possible breaches of the Rules of Racing as follows:

Keiran Burke

In relation to the running of Hunt Ball (IRE) in the Byrne Group Plate Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on 14th March 2013:

The issues for Inquiry are:

1. Did Keiran Burke, being the Trainer of Hunt Ball (IRE), on or before the date of the Race act in breach of Rule (A)30 in that “a Person must not act in any manner which the Authority considers to be prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horseracing in Great Britain” by permitting the letters ‘PP’ in white against a green background to be placed upon the hindquarters of the horse:

a. When he knew, or ought to have known, that the marking was in breach of the Racehorse Owners’ Sponsorship Code of Conduct (‘the Code’), because no sponsorship agreement had been approved by the BHA relating to the marking and/or

b. When he knew, or ought to have known, that the marking publicised a bookmaker and such sponsorship of a single horse would not have been permitted under the Code, and/or

c. When he knew, or ought to have known, that the marking was placed on the body of the horse, which is not permitted in any circumstances under the Code or otherwise?

2. Did Keiran Burke on or before the date of the race act in breach of Rule (A)39 by permitting the marking to be placed on Hunt Ball (IRE) in breach of the Code relating to sponsorship?

3. Did Keiran Burke on or before the date of the Race act in breach of Rule (C)26.1.1 by placing the marking on Hunt Ball (IRE) in breach of the Code relating to sponsorship?

Anthony Knott

In relation to the running of Hunt Ball (IRE) in the Byrne Group Plate Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on 14th March 2013:

The issues for Inquiry are:

1. Did Anthony Knott, being the owner of Hunt Ball (IRE), on or before the date of the Race act in breach of Rule (A)30 in that “a Person must not act in any manner which the Authority considers to be prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horseracing in Great Britain” by permitting the letters ‘PP’ in white against a green background (‘the marking’) to be placed upon the hindquarters of the horse:

a. When he knew, or ought to have known, that the marking was in breach of the Racehorse Owners’ Sponsorship Code of Conduct (‘the Code’), because no sponsorship agreement had been approved by the BHA relating to the marking and/or

b. When he knew, or ought to have known, that the marking publicised a bookmaker and such sponsorship of a single horse would not have been permitted under the Code, and/or

c. When he knew, or ought to have known, that the marking was placed on the body of the horse, which is not permitted in any circumstances under the Code or otherwise?

2. Did Anthony Knott on or before the date of the race act in breach of Rule (A)39 by permitting the marking to be placed on Hunt Ball (IRE) in breach of the Code relating to sponsorship?