Aidan O’Brien awaits BHA’s decision concerning his punishment
Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O’Brien will get to know about his punishment in a week’s time concerning the Cape Blanco incident that took place in York in May.
The initial charge the Ballydoyle trainer faced was "acting in a manner prejudicial to the conduct and/or good reputation of racing". He was charged because he had told Pat Keating, his employee, to not to bring his horse in front of the British Horseracing Authority's veterinary officer as well as the senior racecourse veterinary surgeon. The officer and the surgeon had to conduct a routine check on the horse.
Later on, as the charge was amended, O’Brien admitted to "acting in a manner prejudicial to the conduct of horseracing in Great Britain". He did this at a disciplinary panel hearing which ended on Wednesday, in addition to admitting to two other charges. These were of encouraging and/or causing Keating to refuse to comply with two instructions that were given to him given by the York stewards. As a result of this, Keating was breaking Rule (B)83 as he was not following the instructions. He admitted to his defiance.
At first, O’Brien had explained away his action by saying that he was concerned Cape Blanco had suffered an injury and was due to be sent home. The horse was said to be not in a fit condition after having won on the Knavesmire. However, when Robert Earnshaw, the stipendiary steward and Lynn Hillyer, the BHA vet showed interest in examining the horse, Ballydoyle and Coolmore representatives did not allow the examination insisting that the horse was fine.
Announcement regarding the penalties to be issued will be made next week. The BHA’s disciplinary panel had heard the case of all the three parties involved in the incident.
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