O’Brien in clear over Brian Boru
The Ballydoyle colt was beaten a head and two and a half lengths when third behind Alamshar and stable companion, The Great Gatsby, in the 10-furlong race on May 11.
Afterwards, a storm erupted when the Racing Post referred comments attributed to O’Brien at a press-day at Ballydoyle to the Turf Club. As a result the Turf Club looked at the race again.
They have now exonerated O’Brien, after the stipendiary stewards decided that “in their view, Brian Boru had been run on his merits” and as a result “the matter is now closed”.
A Turf Club statement said: “A review was carried out by the Stipendiary Stewards, Mr P F Graffin and Mr L Wyer, on the video of the Derrinstown Derby Trial, following the publication of comments allegedly made by A P O’Brien in relation to Brian Boru’s performance.
“In the article, which was published in the Racing Post, A P O’Brien was quoted as saying that ‘we were trying to get Brian Boru to do the thing right, rather than winning the race’ and that a battle with Alamshar was ‘the last thing we wanted’.
“The Stipendiary Stewards also reviewed written evidence from A P O’Brien, which had been submitted to the Turf Club following the publication of the article, where he elaborated on and clarified the comments published.
“Following the review the Stipendiary Stewards reported to the Stewards of the Governing Bodies, under the provisions of Rule 20 (xiii), that in their view Brian Boru had been run on his merits and that no breach of Rule 212 had occurred.
“The Stewards of the Governing Bodies have accepted the view of the Stipendiary Stewards, which agreed with the opinion already reached by the Acting Stewards at Leopardstown.
“As such, no further action will be taken and the matter is now closed.”
Brian Boru is currently vying for second favouritism for the Vodafone Derby with Alamshar behind market leader, Refuse To Bend.
