Turf Club to reopen Foxrock enquiry after new video emerges

Grand National winning trainer and well-known RTÉ pundit Ted Walsh has said he will answer any questions The Turf Club want to ask him after the decision by racing's regulatory body to reopen an enquiry into the running and riding of the Walsh-trained horse, Foxrock, in a race at Punchestown in December on the basis of new video evidence that has become available.

The Turf Club's Referrals Committee is scheduled to meet with all the relevant parties on April 2nd, 116 days after the Weatherbys Ireland GSB Handicap Chase took place in which Foxrock, who is owned by businessman Barry Connell, finished third to Grand Jesture.

Afterwards the Punchestown stewards enquired into the running and riding of the horse and evidence was heard from both Walsh and jockey Adrian Heskin. The rider stated the race was developing as planned but after passing the stands, the horse clipped a heel, stumbled badly, and lost his action and from there on he wasn't entirely happy with his mount.

Walsh told the enquiry that watching the race he felt his rider could have been more forceful between the third last and second last fences.

However, Heskin had explained to him on dismounting how he hadn’t been entirely happy with how the horse moved in the second half of the race and as the horse returned to the stable yard, Walsh noticed that his front shoes were missing. It was at this stage, he said, his rider’s report made sense and he was satisfied with the ride.

Also at that enquiry, the stewards received a report from The Turf Club veterinary officer who stated that Foxrock had pulled off both his front shoes in running and was slightly lame post-race.

However, The Turf Club is reopening the matter on the basis of new video evidence that was not available to the stewards at Punchestown.

It is understood that evidence is from cameras located at or around the parade ring at Punchestown, and previously unavailable to stewards, appears to show Foxrock wearing both front shoes immediately after the race.

The reopened case will be heard by the Referrals Committee on April 2nd as will any other rules related issues which arise. All relevant parties have been notified.

“The enquiry is being reopened on the basis of new video evidence becoming available that was not available to the stewards at Punchestown,” a Turf Club statement confirmed.

Walsh said today he is prepared to answer any questions The Turf Club’s referrals committee have for him.

“Obviously they’re not happy with whatever happened on that day and they’re reopening the enquiry,” the Kill, Co Kildare based trainer said. “I’ll be there at the enquiry to answer any questions they want.”

Foxrock has run four times since that Punchestown race, winning the €100,000 Boylesports Handicap Chase at Leopardstown in January. Afterwards the horse was runner-up to Carlingford Lough in the Grade One Hennessy Gold Cup.

Foxrock ran in last week’s Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and finished last of the 12 finishers.