Ted Walsh faces Turf Club committee over Foxrock’s Punchestown ride

Grand National-winning trainer and well-known RTE racing pundit Ted Walsh will be legally represented by the former attorney general and minister for justice Michael McDowell when he appears in front of the Turf Club's Referrals Committee this Saturday morning to answer questions relating to the running and riding of Foxrock at Punchestown in December.

The Turf Club has reopened an inquiry into the running and riding of the horse, and will examine any other rules-related issues which may arise, after new video evidence became available to racing’s regulatory body.

Foxrock, owned by Dublin businessman Barry Connell, finished third in the Weatherbys Ireland Handicap Chase on December 7, a performance that prompted a stewards' inquiry on the day at Punchestown.

At that inquiry a report was received from a Turf Club veterinary officer that Foxrock had lost both front shoes during the race and the only action taken was to suspend jockey Adrian Heskin for one day for failing to "report in the first instance something that may have affected the running of his mount".

It is believed the new video evidence which has become available shows Foxrock wearing both front shoes in the parade ring after the race.

Not happy

When confirmation came last month that the case would be reopened, Walsh said: “Obviously they’re not happy with whatever happened on that day and they’re reopening the inquiry. I’ll be there to answer any questions they want.”

Today’s hearing is due to start at 10.00 and Walsh will appear before a three-man committee consisting of Mr Justice Tony Hunt, Sean Barry and Laurence McFerran. The Turf Club will be legally represented by Eugene Gleeson.

Walsh has held a trainer’s licence since 1990, prior to which he was an 11 times champion amateur jockey in Ireland, with four winners to his credit at the Cheltenham festival.

Well known for his colourful racing analysis on RTE, Walsh also contributes to Channel 4’s Cheltenham festival coverage and is one of racing’s most identifiable faces in Ireland.

As a trainer, Walsh famously won the Aintree Grand National in 2000 with Papillon, which was ridden by his son, Ruby. The partnership also won that year’s Irish Grand National with Commanche Court.

Walsh’s daughter Katie secured a famous Irish National success of her own less than two weeks ago when riding Thunder And Roses to victory at Fairyhouse.