Trainer Charles Byrnes was hit with a massive €6,000 fine under the non-triers' rule following the running of Ellaat (GB) (Heeraat {Ire}) in a low-grade handicap on the Flat at Gowran Park on Wednesday evening.
He was found to have breached the Rule 212A (i) by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) stewards who also slapped his jockey Gearoid Brouder with a 21-day suspension. Ellaat was also banned from running for 90 days.
It is not the first time the multiple Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer has felt the wrath of Irish racing's regulators in recent times. Back in January 2021, Byrnes had his licence suspended for six months after Viking Hoard was found to have tested positive for a sedative after a race at Tramore in which he was laid to lose for a substantial sum of money.
Ellaat, who races in the colours of Byrnes's son Cathal, flashed home to finish an eye-catching fourth under restrained riding (video). Brouder stated that his instructions for the race were to get his mount to relax, as the horse had made a noise previously, and do his best from there.
During the race, Ellaat was reported to have made a noise, hung right in the home straight and took some time to pull up after the finishing line.
The stewards at Gowran Park noted that Ellaat was observed by an IHRB Veterinary Officer and found to be coughing after the race but was otherwise normal and “not inconvenienced in any way at the time.” The betting patterns of the race were also referred on to a senior racing official for further investigation.
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