Banned racehorse trainer investigated over ‘rules breach’ after he’s seen celebrating £39,000 winner live on ITV

A BANNED racehorse trainer who celebrated a £39,000 winner live on ITV is being investigated over a potential fresh ‘rules breach’ in the winner’s enclosure.

Punters blasted the ‘disgraceful’ scenes at Newcastle last weekend as TV cameras captured Tony Martin revelling in Alphonse Le Grande’s big victory.

Martin is currently serving a suspension for breaking anti-doping rules.

The ban was imposed after his horse Firstman tested positive for lidocaine – a cutting agent in cocaine – after winning a race at Dundalk in January 2023.

Martin’s horses are now being trained by his sister Cathy O’Leary.

The siblings were seen hugging and celebrating as Hollie Doyle rode Alphonse Le Grande back into the winner’s enclosure following his win in the Northumberland Vase last Saturday.

Doyle let slip in her interview afterwards that Martin – who has since said he ‘deeply regrets’ and apologised for his actions – had given her the riding instructions for the race, which would appear to be a breach of the conditions of his suspension.

Alphonse Le Grande’s victory, worth £39,000, was officially O’Leary’s first Flat winner in 15 years.

Martin also posed for a photo with fans and had his arm round the jockey on the podium.

The trainer, who has had several winners at Cheltenham Festival, is subject to a suspension of his licence and is not a banned person.

He is technically allowed to go to racecourses in Ireland and elsewhere – but there was fury among punters he was so visible after victory in light of his ban.

One viewer said the scenes were ‘disgraceful’ for a trainer officially suspended for breaking anti-doping rules.

While respected racing journalist Maddie Playle said the ‘dreadful’ footage made the credibility of the ban ‘look a farce’.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board and British Horseracing Authority confirmed they are now liaising over the incident – as Martin spoke for the first time since.

A statement confirmed the BHA, who have jurisdiction over Newcastle, will examine whether a ‘rules breach’ took place.

While the IHRB will ‘examine the conduct’ of Martin.

The statement from the IHRB read: “An IHRB Appeals Body directed that Mr A.J. Martin’s trainer’s licence be withdrawn for a period of three months to commence on 15 May 2024.

“Following an unsuccessful application by Mr Martin to seek a Judicial Review, the commencement date was moved to 16 May 2024.

“For the duration of the withdrawal of Mr Martin’s licence, he is not permitted to make entries or act in the capacity of a trainer.

“The IHRB is liaising with the BHA in relation to Mr Martin’s conduct at a fixture regulated by them on Saturday.

“It is for the BHA to establish whether there has been a rule breach in their jurisdiction, while the IHRB will be examining the conduct in the context of the Irish Rules of Racing.”

Martin told the Racing Post: “I greatly regret how the whole situation unfolded and I offer my sincere apologies to everyone.”

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