Ronan McNally and Kevin Sexton win appeal against Limerick non-trier rule breach

Ronan McNally and Kevin Sexton have won their appeal against a running-and-riding breach of the rules at Limerick last month that led to the trainer being fined €2,000 and the jockey banned for ten days.

Limerick's raceday stewards found the pair contravened rule 212A(ii), related to "timely, real and substantial efforts" being made following the sixth-placed finish of 25-1 shot Ithaka in a 2m4f maiden hurdle.

McNally described himself as "perplexed" by the initial decision and lodged an appeal against the ruling that also included a 42-day ban for the horse.

Speaking after his Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board hearing on Tuesday, McNally said: "I was very confused that we were even up for a non-trier – I couldn't understand it.

"This horse has been very tricky but has shown progression and we were delighted with his run at Limerick, as well as with the ride. We were perplexed as to why he was a non-trier."

He added: "It has cost me just shy of two and a half grand to make the appeal and I don't think it should ever have been a case in the first place, so that element is disappointing. I've also lost a day of work, but it is what it is. The hearing and panel were very fair."

McNally remains at the centre of a long-running investigation into the improvement of his horses Dreal Deal and The Jam Man, while similar inquiries are ongoing in relation to All Class and Full Noise. The latter two landed gambles when trained by David Dunne last year but are owned by McNally and have run under his name since.

The Armagh-based trainer previously stated he felt "treated very, very harshly" by the IHRB.

Tubs McNally and his father Ronan celebrate the 12-year-old's champion jockey title win at Dingle last weekend

Tuesday's appeal success comes on the back of a memorable weekend for the McNally family after the trainer's son Tubs was crowned champion jockey at Dingle's renowned pony racing festival with six winners.

McNally said: "He only turned 12 a few weeks ago so they think he's the youngest champion jockey at Dingle ever – it's a great achievement. His own pony Five Stone Of Lead won on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday – she was the only one to win every day there.

"All that's in his brain at the minute is to be a jockey and he's very good, so the dream is still alive."

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