Stephen Mahon: trainer's four-year suspension over neglect reduced by six months

Stephen Mahon has had his four-year suspension over neglect-related issues reduced by six months by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board's appeals body following a sitting that took place over a month ago.

In publishing its findings, the appeal panel noted the original referrals committee had operated on the assumption that Mahon's version of events in respect of Geoffrey's Girl, who was found to suffered a catastrophic fetlock injury, was correct. The IHRB contended that the horse, referred to originally as 'Animal A', had suffered the injury over a week before its inspection on April 13, but Mahon insisted it occurred on the morning of the visit.

In relation to Geoffrey's Girl, Mahon's initial sanction found him guilty under rule 148 (vi), which pertains to a trainer's responsibility to horses in their care.

However, the appeal panel did not feel there was sufficient evidence to uphold that view, which appears to be the main reason the sentence has been reduced by six months.

Accepting Mahon's version of events, the report read: "In all the circumstances, it would be unfair and unjust to uphold the adverse finding in respect of Geoffrey's Girl when there was insufficient evidence to support it."

Beer With The Boys, who was previously identified as 'Animal C', was mistakenly referred to as 'Animal G' by the referrals committee, and therefore Mahon was found guilty of two breaches of rule 148 (i) and (iv) in respect of the same animal.

The appeals panel, which convened to hear the appeal at the Curragh on July 31, took into consideration this double count when arriving at its decision to reduce Mahon's penalty.

In publishing its findings on Friday, the panel noted: "It is manifestly clear that Mr Mahon's conduct is injurious to the good reputation of horseracing. As a licence-holder, he failed in his duties towards the horses in his care by failing to adequately supervise them and to identify even their most basic welfare needs."

Inspections of Mahon's Galway yard in April prompted the regulator to take the unusual step of suspending his training licence before a full referral, with his four declared runners for Ballinrobe on April 16 withdrawn by order of the stewards.

Lengthy details of regulation breaches were revealed on June 3, resulting in the trainer's suspension over issues relating to the welfare of horses under his care, the registration of staff and bringing racing into disrepute.

Stephen Mahon: four declared runners in April were withdrawn by order of the stewardsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

It was found that Geoffrey's Girl had been entered to run at Ballinrobe within a week of the inspection but had a "catastrophic injury" to a fetlock joint, requiring her to be put down.

The report noted that the horse had been treated for a fetlock injury four weeks previously and the committee was confident that even in view of the evidence most favourable to Mahon – in that the injury was a recent one – he had failed to exercise adequate care of her.

However, the appeal panel differed in its interpretation of that claim, noting that neither Nicola O'Connor nor Sarah Ross, the two IHRB veterinary surgeons present for the 11am inspection, initially ordered immediate veterinary attention for Geoffrey's Girl.

It stated: "Firstly, there was uncontroverted evidence before the committee from Mr Mahon that he had attempted to contact his veterinary surgeon, Mr Paul Houlihan, at 10.56am by mobile phone before the inspection commenced.

"Secondly, neither of the veterinary surgeons in attendance at the inspection had directed that immediate veterinary attention was required but suggested that the animal be treated by the veterinary surgeon who was attending that afternoon to treat other animals. Mahon was subsequently advised over the phone after the inspection that Geoffrey's Girl was to be produced that afternoon for veterinary inspection by Mr Houlihan."

The incident was one of several failings identified in the initial report relating to 11 horses in all, including seven who were found to be inadequately cared for in a field. One was described as "emaciated".

Mahon was also found to have neglected another horse who was returned to training as of April 13, but was let off to grass without the trainer notifying the IHRB of the change in status.

IHRB veterinary officer Sarah Ross stated that the horse had a "chronic and obvious injury, believed by her to have been present for weeks as opposed to days", with the animal said to have been in pain for far longer than should have been the case if proper standards were observed.

The case was the second time Mahon has been punished by the IHRB for the neglect of animals within his care – something the trainer objected to being referenced in the case initially.

In 2008, he had his licence suspended for four months and was fined €1,000 after Pike Bridge was found to have been neglected to such an extent that she had eaten at her own legs, rendering her unable to stand and causing her to lie down for 12 weeks before being put down.

Mahon was also ordered by the Circuit Civil Court to pay over €34,000 in damages to the owner of Pike Bridge for the mistreatment of the horse.

Mahon's suspension does not prevent him from earning a livelihood in racing and it recently emerged he has been working with fellow Galway trainer Pat Kelly.

Stormey: suspended trainer Mahon alleged to have interfered in the post-race samplingCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Mahon was listed as Kelly's authorised representative and travelling head lad when involved in an incident at Tipperary on July 18, with the suspended trainer alleged to have interfered in the post-race sampling of Stormey – a horse he previously trained.

After the 11-year-old's first start for Kelly, when he finished third, IHRB veterinary assistant Avena O'Keeffe stated Mahon was "insisting that she turn the tumbler used to collect the urine sample upside down to prove that there was nothing in it, prior to the sample being taken".

Raceday stewards at Tipperary referred the matter to IHRB chief executive Denis Egan for further investigation. No date has yet been set for a referral into the case.

Read more on this subject:

IHRB set to hear Stephen Mahon appeal against four-year ban on Saturday

Stephen Mahon appeal against four-year ban over neglect issues set for July 31

What message does it send when Stephen Mahon can still work with racehorses? (Members' Club)

IHRB hands out four-year ban to Galway trainer Stephen Mahon for neglect

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