Jockey Declan Queally fined €1,000 over 'aggressive' confrontation with Galway race starter

Queally was annoyed as he felt he had not been allowed to make the running at the start of a race

At Tuesday's IHRB referrals committee meeting, Declan Queally apologised for his demeanour and raising his voice. Pic:©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Jockey Declan Queally Jr has been fined €1,000 and warned about his future behaviour by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. The fine was issued following an IHRB referrals committee meeting regarding an incident involving the Waterford rider and a race starter at the Galway Festival earlier this month.

Following the  Kenny Galway Peugeot Handicap Hurdle on August 2 at Ballybrit, in which Queally rode Rocky's Howya to finish 14th, the amateur jockey was observed by steward Andrew Ring to be in an "aggressive" confrontation with starter Joe Banahan. 

"In his evidence, Mr Ring described how he observed an exchange between Mr Queally and Mr Banahan in the weighroom while carrying out his duties as a Stipendiary Steward," the committee said in its report.

"Mr Ring described Mr Queally as approaching Mr Banahan in a fired up and aggressive manner regarding the start of the Kenny Galway Peugeot Handicap Hurdle. Mr Ring stated that Mr Banahan remained calm throughout the encounter which took place in front of approximately 30 people and in his opinion Mr Queally’s behaviour warranted consideration by the Raceday Stewards.

"In his evidence, Mr Banahan explained that he had returned to the weighroom following the race and was in conversation with a Trainer when he was confronted from behind by Mr Queally in an aggressive tone. Mr Banahan described how Mr Queally continued to be vocal and would not afford him the opportunity to speak. Mr Banahan acknowledged that Mr Queally did not use crude language but added that he suggested moving the conversation to a more private area, however, it became apparent that Mr Queally would not engage in a civil manner."

At Tuesday's hearing, Queally apologised for his demeanour and raising his voice. He "explained that he had returned to the weighroom annoyed as he felt he had not been afforded the opportunity to make the running at the start". 

Queally was told his behaviour had "fallen short of what is expected of an IHRB licence holder" and advised that a repeat incident "would lead to scrutiny of his licence".