Racing Feb 06, 2026

Philip Byrnes: Jockey cleared of deliberately jumping off Redwood Queen at Wexford

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Philip Byrnes: Jockey cleared of deliberately jumping off Redwood Queen at Wexford

Philip Byrnes has been cleared of any wrongdoing by an Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board referrals committee over the Redwood Queen incident at Wexford in May.

He had been accused of deliberately jumping off his mount at the final flight in a claiming hurdle.

Redwood Queen had been a big drifter in the betting while there was strong support for the odds-on favourite Beacon Edge, but the mare appeared to have the race in the bag approaching the final obstacle.

Upon jumping both of Byrnes' feet came out of the irons and he was unshipped, allowing Beacon Edge to come through and win.

There was no intervention by the stewards on the day but the matter was later referred to the IHRB to see if there had been a breach of any rules.

The case was heard on December 15 when evidence was heard from eight witnesses and countless viewings of the race took place from different angles.

Former jockey Leighton Aspell gave evidence on behalf of the IHRB, for whom he now works as a stipendiary steward, and he alleged Byrnes did not allow the horse to run on its merits.

Aspell's former weighing room colleague Davy Russell also spoke at the hearing but in defence of Byrnes.

Asked how he parted ways with Redwood Queen, Byrnes said: "I went to the last… got a bit short at it. Just miscommunication between horse and rider. She came up underneath me, caught me on the backside, and I came off."

When questioned what effort he made to stay on board he said: "Once I got that bump the balance is gone. Next thing I knew I was on the floor. So, that's how it went."

The report said: "The obligation is on the IHRB to satisfy us by evidence that the fall in question was deliberate if it is to succeed with this complaint.

"We have come to the conclusion that it has not discharged that burden of proof. In so concluding we have had regard primarily to the video and photographic evidence and our assessment of the evidence given to us by the jockey. We have not had to have much reliance on the evidence given by the experts.

"What is clear to us is that as a result of the way the horse jumped the hurdle, she bumped the backside of the jockey, sending him over so slightly to the left which resulted in him losing the right stirrup in the first instance followed by the left and he was duly unseated from the horse. We do not believe that this was a deliberate act on his part. He was fortunate in the way in which he landed and that he suffered no injuries.

"We are unable to identify any motivation to justify him deliberately dismounting from the horse. Had the fall been deliberate, we believe the jockey would be fully aware of the embarrassment that that would be to him, and the consequences for his reputation as a jockey. We also dismiss any suggestion that betting or betting patterns formed a motivation for the fall."

In conclusion, the report said: "The IHRB complaint of deliberate conduct on the part of the jockey is not made out. We are of opinion that what occurred on this occasion was an example of poor horsemanship on the part of the jockey, consistent with his pre-existing poor falls record.

"In our opinion on the occasion in question the jockey's position of instability stemmed from an exuberant jump by the horse, resulting in the loss of both irons consecutively. His effort to remain on board by holding onto the reins and neck strap was unsuccessful."

Byrnes' father and trainer Charles was charged over the following statement given to the Irish Field as it could have undermined the investigation: "It's a sad day if the Turf Club has to hold an investigation to please the faceless people on social media. We will answer any questions they have. We have nothing to answer to."

This charge was also dismissed.

Tags:

racing news

Share this article

Related Posts

Unbridled: Jango Baie to suit truly-run Cheltenham Gold Cup, says Nico de Boinville who also discusses Lulamba and Old Park Star

Unbridled: Jango Baie to suit truly-run Cheltenham Gold Cup, says Nico de Boinville who also discusses Lulamba and Old Park Star

Nico de Boinville joined the latest episode of Unbridled, looking ahead to the coming weeks and months - starting with Super Saturday from Newbury thi...

Today on Sky Sports Racing: Newcastle and Sedgefield feature live on Wednesday

Today on Sky Sports Racing: Newcastle and Sedgefield feature live on Wednesday

We have a busy day's racing on Wednesday with action across both codes from Newcastle and Sedgefield, live on Your Site Racing...In-form Supreme Georg...

Dublin Racing Festival: Fact To File strikes in Irish Gold Cup under Mark Walsh at Leopardstown

Dublin Racing Festival: Fact To File strikes in Irish Gold Cup under Mark Walsh at Leopardstown

Fact To File rediscovered his mojo in timely fashion, striding on to glory in the Irish Gold Cup ahead of stablemate Fact To File.A dual Cheltenham Go...

Dublin Racing Festival: Romeo Coolio denies Kargese in thrilling Irish Arkle at Leopardstown

Dublin Racing Festival: Romeo Coolio denies Kargese in thrilling Irish Arkle at Leopardstown

Romeo Coolio had too much for the gallant Kargese in a rollercoaster 2026 edition of the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown.Gordon Elliott's 4-9 favourite wa...

Cheltenham: Injury to Sir Gino mars The New Lion's Unibet Hurdle victory but Nicky Henderson's star 'comfortable and stable'

Cheltenham: Injury to Sir Gino mars The New Lion's Unibet Hurdle victory but Nicky Henderson's star 'comfortable and stable'

Dan Skelton's The New Lion won the Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham but the race was marred by an injury to Sir Gino.Billed as a match between potentially...

Aamilah Aswat makes horse racing history by becoming first black and South Asian female jump jockey to win a race in Britain

Aamilah Aswat makes horse racing history by becoming first black and South Asian female jump jockey to win a race in Britain

Aamilah Aswat has made history by becoming the first female black British jump jockey to win a UK horse race.Aswat, who is also the first woman of Sou...