Sports
Suspended trainer Tony Martin to have ‘conduct examined’ over involvement in win
The IHRB said it was liaising with the BHA to establish if any rules were breached when the suspended trainer joined owners and jockey Hollie Doyle after a win at Newcastle
Suspended trainer Tony Martin’s conduct at Newcastle on Saturday when appearing on the winners’ podium after a big race success is to be examined by the IHRB.
Martin, the trainer of six Cheltenham Festival winners, began a three-month suspension of his licence in May for breaking anti-doping rules.
His horses are now being trained by his sister Cathy O’Leary from his Co Meath yard. O’Leary was present at Newcastle on Saturday when Alphonse Le Grande landed the Northumberland Vase, which triggered wild celebrations among connections.
So too was Martin who appeared on the winners’ podium alongside winning jockey Hollie Doyle.
Martin is not prevented from going to racing events under the terms of the suspension but Doyle seemed to suggest to ITV Racing that it had been Martin who had given her the riding instructions.
“I didn’t ride him how Tony had wanted me too,” she said.
A statement from the IHRB said: “An IHRB Appeals Body directed that Mr A.J. Martin’s Trainers’ licence be withdrawn for a period of three months to commence on 15 May 2024. “Following an unsuccessful application by Mr Martin to seek a Judicial Review, the commencement date was moved to 16 May 2024.
“For the duration of the withdrawal of Mr Martin’s licence, he is not permitted to make entries or act in the capacity of a Trainer.
“The IHRB is liaising with the BHA in relation to Mr Martin’s conduct at a fixture regulated by them on Saturday. It is for the BHA to establish whether there has been a rule breach in their jurisdiction, while the IHRB will be examining the conduct in the context of the Irish Rules of Racing.”
Under reciprocation of rules, Martin’s suspension applies in Britain as well as in Ireland and the BHA is of the view that whether any potential breach of the suspension has occurred is a matter for the IHRB.
A BHA spokesperson said: “The BHA has spoken to the IHRB to relay the concerns that have been expressed to us.”
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