Chambers Blog

In the recent case concerning Robert Tierney a farrier, and his son Richard Tierney an amateur jockey, one of the biggest racing scams was proved.  In this case a horse was put into two races to impersonate another horse, in breach of Regulation 161(v) of the Jockey Club Regulations for Point-to-Point Steeple Chases.  The tribunal panel stated: "Running a ringer strikes at the very heart of the integrity of the sport".  The tribunal disqualified Robert Tierney from participating in the sport for 6 years.  As Richard Tierney was only 17 years old at the time of the scam and had acted under the influence of his father, the tribunal disqualified him for 2 years.

A full report of this case can be found in Volume 13, Issue 2 of ‘Horse Law'.

Written by Nathalie Bull, Barrister at New Walk Chambers, specialising in Equine Law.

Currently it is not compulsory for horse owners to take out public liability insurance, which leaves uninsured owners at great risk of being sued for substantial damage awards, should their horse injure a third party. However, this may all change soon. As a result of a racehorse assistant being badly injured after being kicked on the head at Wolverhampton Racecourse in 2005, the Claimant is in the process of suing both the insured trainer and uninsured majority owner for approximately £3m in damages. It is thought that the outcome of this case will have serious consequences within the equine arena. The trial of Kinane v Irvine is due to take place in the Birmingham High Court later this year.

Written by Nathalie Bull, Barrister at New Walk Chambers, specialising in Equine Law.