Ex-Johnny Farrelly horse to run for new trainer Laura Young at Worcester

The first horse formerly trained by Johnny Farrelly is set to run at Worcester on Thursday after the trainer's seven-year ban for breaches to racing's safeguarding rules came into force on Tuesday.

Druim Samhraidh contests a 2m4f handicap hurdle for trainer Laura Young, who has received eight horses that had been in the care of Farrelly prior to his suspension, which was announced as a 'permanent exclusion' from racing in a BHA statement released last week.

Farrelly, 36, was banned for at least seven years by the National Safeguarding Panel (NSP) following a five-day hearing in which he was found in breach of six offences relating to prohibited conduct with young persons and adults at risk. He was also found to have one breach relating to cooperation with an investigation.

The trainer outlined in a statement following the sanction that he intended to appeal, and said on Wednesday: "The application is being lodged but I don't know where we stand with it at the moment. The horse at Worcester is now in training with Laura Young, but I cannot comment on anything else."

'I wouldn't want to comment on Johnny's business'

As well as Druim Samhraidh, Lake Shore Drive has been moved to Young and entered in a 2m5½f handicap hurdle at Hereford on Tuesday.

Young, who has sent out 50 winners over jumps and on the Flat in Britain, said: "I've got eight extra horses in at the moment and I believe the horses Johnny had have been distributed to where the owners wanted them to go. I've worked closely with Johnny over the last 18 months to two years anyway and have been on the circuit for some time.

"I wouldn't want to comment on Johnny's business or what he's doing. I know there's an appeal being prepared and that he has to obey the rules laid out by the BHA while that's happening. The ban came into effect yesterday and the horses arrived then.

"Johnny is a family friend of many years. I know the horses so hopefully we can have a good campaign for them and for their owners."

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Trainer Johnny Farrelly 'permanently excluded' from British racing

A spokesman said on Wednesday that the BHA could not comment on the case or on any appeal made by Farrelly.

Following the announcement of the trainer's ban, Tim Naylor, the BHA's director of integrity and regulation, said: "This was a lengthy and complex investigation which called deeply on the expertise of the sport's dedicated safeguarding unit, who deserve great praise.

"We cannot comment further on the details of the case as they are confidential and we are bound by the NSP's rules around disclosure."

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