IHRB hearing into controversial Rob James video to take place on Wednesday

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) hearing into a video of Cheltenham Festival-winning amateur rider Rob James mounting a dead horse in April 2016 will take place on Wednesday.

Just days after the image of trainer Gordon Elliott sitting on the ill-fated Morgan circulated on social media, former champion novice point-to-point rider James confirmed his identity in the separate video and issued an apology over the "inappropriate and disrespectful" act.

The IHRB confirmed last week an investigation into the matter was underway, but that has now concluded and the evidence will be presented before the referrals body.

Rob James: champion novice point-to-point rider in 2014Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

In a statement released on its Twitter account on Tuesday afternoon, the IHRB said: "Our investigation into a video circulating on social media last week has concluded and a referral hearing will take place on Wednesday. The IHRB will not be commenting further on this matter until after the hearing."

It remains unclear whether or not an outcome will be returned on Wednesday, but the referrals body did deliver a verdict on the same day in the Elliott case, the trainer having his licence withdrawn for 12 months last week, with the final half of that punishment suspended.

The video involving James shows a stricken five-year-old mare on the floor and the rider moving to straddle her. It appears her body was set to be moved when the video was recorded.

Three other people are shown in close vicinity and laughs can be heard after James, who has partnered 235 point-to-point winners, sits on the horse. He then pats the horse as he dismounts before the video ends.

It is understood James is the only individual in the video due before the referrals committee at Wednesday's hearing.

Milan Native: provided Rob James with a first Cheltenham Festival winnerCredit: Edward Whitaker

James partnered Milan Native, trained by Elliott and owned by Gigginstown House Stud, to win last season's Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The 28-year-old began his career at the age of 16 for trainer Colin Bowe, based locally to him, and has enjoyed considerable success for leading point-to-point handlers Donnchadh and Sean Doyle.

James was crowned champion novice rider in 2014 and shared the Southern Region championship with Jamie Codd three years later before landing a first Western Region title in 2019-20.

He has partnered star names such as Shishkin, Lostintranslation, and Topofthegame in point-to-points and sent out his first winner as a trainer in October with My Bad Lucy at Umma House.

Read more:

Gordon Elliott: 'I will spend my life paying for indefensible moment of madness'

Ted Walsh: the Gordon Elliott I know is not the one I see in that picture

'Shocking' image forced Cheveley Park to remove their horses from Gordon Elliott

Leading owners Gigginstown stand by Gordon Elliott after 'unacceptable' photo

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