Austin has his licence suspended

TRAINER Willie Austin had his licence suspended for three months by the Turf Club’s appeals and referrals committee yesterday at a hearing into On Coo Lay’s runs at Wexford and Tramore in August.

The committee met at the Curragh to consider a report from security officers and evidence from Austin and owner Denis Lyons.

This was in relation to the training and ownership of the horse and its participation at unrecognised meetings under the name of Thin Lizzy both before and after her run in the Tote Exacta Handicap at Wexford on August 1, and before her win in the Sharp Minds Betfair Handicap at Tramore on August 14.

The committee found that On Coo Lay was not qualified to be entered or run in either race as she had run at unrecognised meetings. They also found that Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, trainer Austin was not the owner of On Coo Lay and never had the horse under his care. They imposed a lifetime disqualification on On Coo Lay, a 12-month disqualification on Lyons and a three-month suspension of Austin’s licence.

The disqualifications and suspension start on December 22.