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Racing NSW Stewards today conducted an inquiry into the circumstances of I AM ME being reported by trainer Ciaron Maher to be displaying blood in the right nostril after it had competed in Heat 1 of the Rosehill Gardens barrier trials on Friday, 4 October 2024.

The inquiry focused primarily on Mr Maher having reported the matter to Stewards on Sunday 6 October, in excess of 48 hours after the incident.

Mr Maher pleaded guilty to being in breach of AR79(7) for having failed to report to Stewards without delay that I AM ME had blood present in its right nostril after the trial.

Having regard to the seriousness of the matter, given that I AM ME is a selected runner in The TAB Everest and the occurrence was not able to be publicly released for in excess of 48 hours, Stewards considered a starting penalty should be a fine of $10,000.

However, taking into account Mr Maher’s guilty plea and other relevant considerations, the fine was reduced to $7,500.

Mr Maher was reminded of the provisions of AR79(8), which will require I AM ME to undergo a satisfactory gallop of at least 1000m in the presence of a Steward prior to being cleared to take its place in The TAB Everest.

RELEVANT RULES

AR 79 Horses with bleeding

 (7) If a horse displays blood at one nostril, the trainer must report that to the Stewards without delay.

 (8) Unless the Stewards are satisfied that the presence of blood referred to in subrule (7) is attributable to external trauma, then before racing again the horse is required to undergo a satisfactory gallop of at least 1,000 metres in the presence of a Steward.

- S G Railton (Chairman of Stewards, Racing NSW)