Top trainer banned and fined for celebrating £39,000 winner in ‘farcical’ scenes on live TV

TOP horse trainer Tony Martin has been banned and fined for celebrating a £39,000 winner at Newcastle.

The Cheltenham Festival-winning handler was already serving an anti-doping ban when Alphonse Le Grande won the Northumberland Plate on June 29.

Martin’s horses were transferred to his sister Cathy O’Leary after his ban was imposed.

But he was seen on ITV cameras walking the horse into the winner’s enclosure and congratulating jockey Hollie Doyle too, who appeared to suggest Martin had given her riding instructions.

Viewers said ‘the whole thing’s a farce’ as Martin revelled in victory despite his partially suspended ban.

Martin, whose big horses have included Anibale Fly and Galway Hurdle king Tudor City, even posed for photos afterwards.

He issued an apology for his actions, saying: “I fully understand that my behaviour was inappropriate given my current suspension status.

“I let my excitement and passion for the sport get the better of me, and for that, I am deeply sorry.”

However, his behaviour was subsequently investigated by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board and British Horseracing Authority.

The IHRB determined his celebrations constituted a further breaking of the rules and extended his original six-month ban (three suspended) by two months and fined him £4,000.

A statement said Martin had ‘brought racing into disrepute’.

It added: “Martin committed a significant breach of Rules 272(i) and 273(xiii), undermining regulatory authority and damaging the reputation of the horseracing industry in that, once his licence was withdrawn, he continued to act in his capacity as a trainer despite the revocation of his licence.

“Having considered the case in the round we find that Mr Martin’s active participation and/or knowingly participating in racing-related activities while his licence is withdrawn constitutes a clear violation of regulatory rules.

“Based on the evidence, adverse inferences can clearly be drawn that Mr Martin effectively circumvented the withdrawal of his licence by having his sister, Cathy O’Leary, hold the licence while he continued to manage the horse at Newcastle.

“Ms Doyle’s confirmation of receiving instructions from Mr Martin substantiates the claim of active involvement.

“Mr Martin’s actions have provoked substantial criticism and public commentary.

“In our view, his actions constitute a flagrant disregard of the rules, and he has by his actions brought horseracing into disrepute.”

Martin was originally given a suspended sentence of six months and €10,000 (£8,500) fine after Firstman tested positive for lidocaine following his win in a Dundalk handicap in January last year.

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