Trainer and jockey lose their Supreme Court appeal over horseracing rules

The Supreme Court has dismissed appeals by a jockey, Eddie O'Connell, and a horse trainer, Jim Lambe, against a finding they were not entitled to challenge the Turf Club's ability to apply or enforce the rules of horseracing.

The court also rejected an appeal by the Turf Club, which regulates flat racing in Ireland, against a finding it is amenable to judicial review proceedings.

The men’s action was aimed at preventing the Turf Club making any adverse findings against them in respect of allegations they were involved in irregular betting, a claim both deny.

In 2014, the High Court ruled the men had not established any grounds to allow the court rule in their favour. Their action arose out of the Turf Club’s investigation into the running of a horse, Yachvili, in a race at Downpatrick on September 21st 2011.

Yachvili was ridden by Mr O’Connell, Harbour View, Monasterevin, Co Kildare, and trained by Mr Lambe, Brookland Stables, Red Lion Road, Kilmore, Co Armagh.

Following the investigation Mr Lambe was acquitted fully while Mr O’Connell was found to have breached the rules of racing.

Giving the five-judge Supreme Court’s unanimous decision dismissing the men’s appeal, Mr Justice Donal O’Donnell said the fundamental premise on which the appellants’ argument was based was “false”.