Byrnes Family Faces Hearing Over Redwood Queen Incident at Wexford Racecourse
Charles Byrnes and his son Philip are set to face a hearing next month after an incident involving their horse Redwood Queen. During a claiming hurdle race at Wexford on May 28, Philip Byrnes was unseated from the mare at the final flight. Redwood Queen, who was leading by two lengths at the time, was heavily backed in the betting market but lost the race due to the incident. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board is reviewing the matter, and the Byrnes duo will appear before a referrals committee on December 15.
In the race, Redwood Queen was in a strong position to win before Philip Byrnes lost his stirrups and fell off the horse at the last hurdle. The favorite, Beacon Edge, took advantage of the situation and won the race with a significant lead. Charles Byrnes explained that Philip was trying to guide the mare over the hurdle to secure the win, but she jumped high and unseated him. The stewards at the racecourse did not take any immediate action, but the incident is now under official review.
Following the race, Redwood Queen was claimed by trainer Cian Collins for €6,000 and now races under the Del Boy Partnership colors. The mare has competed in several races since the incident, with her best performance being a close second-place finish at Downpatrick on August 10. The Byrnes family will have the opportunity to present their case at the upcoming hearing, where the matter will be further examined and discussed.
In conclusion, the Byrnes family's involvement in the incident with Redwood Queen at Wexford Racecourse has led to an official investigation by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. The upcoming hearing will provide a platform for Charles and Philip Byrnes to address the circumstances surrounding the unseating of the mare and the subsequent impact on the race outcome. The outcome of the hearing will determine any further actions or consequences related to the incident.