THE TURF CLUB has issued Davy Russell with a caution following an enquiry into an incident at Tramore earlier this month.
Video footage appeared to show Russell strike his mount, Kings Dolly, as the pair approached a practise flight before a mares handicap hurdle on 19 August.
The stewards at the race course appeared unaware of the incident until a video began to circulate on social media.
The incident was flagged with the referrals committee of the Turf Club and they convened in Killarney today after which chief executive, Denis Egan, told PA Sport:
“The decision was that [Russell] was guilty of rule 272(i) and he has been issued with a caution.
[The referrals committee] accepted the explanation he gave, in that he wanted the horse to concentrate and that it was inappropriate to use the whip in the circumstances.
“He wanted the horse to concentrate and he used his hand. He accepted that was inappropriate.”
Rule 272(i) relates to “conduct or behaviour [. . .] which is prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horse racing.”
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