Tony Martin, currently serving a three-month suspension, has been banned an additional two months and incurred a fine by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB). The additional suspension comes after his actions following Alphonse Le Grande (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire})'s Northumberland Vase win.
Martin was originally banned for a six-month period–three suspended–for breaking anti-doping rules. Martin's sister Cathy O'Leary now holds his training licence, but Martin was present both before and after the race at Newcastle in the paddock, and appeared to be instructing rider Hollie Doyle.
The trainer's actions were considered by the IHRB referrals committee to “constitute a flagrant disregard of the rules” that had “brought horse racing into disrepute” resulting in an additional two months' suspension, running from Aug. 16 to Oct. 16, and a €5,000 fine. Their ruling was that the former trainer had committed a “significant breach of Rules 272(i) and 273(xiii), undermining regulatory authority and damaging the reputation of the horseracing industry in that, once his licence was withdrawn, he continued to act in his capacity as a trainer despite the revocation of his licence”. His quick apology post-race was acknowledged by the IHRB and they weakened their sanctions accordingly. Martin did say that Doyle had reached out to him for advice on how to approach the race, a statement that the jockey has since corroborated.
Martin's statement read, “I sincerely apologise for my actions during the Northumberland Vase. I fully understand that my behaviour was inappropriate given my current suspension status. I let my excitement and passion for the sport get the better of me, and for that, I am deeply sorry.
“I accept the consequences of my actions and will comply fully with any disciplinary measures imposed. I apologise to the racing community, officials and fans for any disappointment caused.”
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