Noel Meade has failed in a bid to win back the Guinness Galway Hurdle for Helvic Dream after an IHRB Appeals Committee ruling on the controversial race last month.
Helvic Dream, a Group One winner on the Flat for Meade in the 2021 Tattersalls Gold Cup, was an 8-1 shot in the hands of Donagh Meyler and settled down to fight it out with the 13-2 shot Ndaawi and Jack Kennedy in the home straight.
However, the pair did come close together all the way up the run-in as both horses and jockeys gave their all, with Ndaawi short of room against the far rail, and while Helvic Dream passed the post a head in front the stewards felt the interference was significant enough to reverse the placings.
Meade promised to appeal the decision of the stewards to the IHRB with a three-person panel hearing evidence from both sides this afternoon.
Among the evidence used by Meade’s representatives in the appeal was drone footage, although the panel did state their belief that "drone footage can alter perceptions of space and should be supplementary to the other raceday footage."
Watch the dramatic moment the result of the Galway Hurdle was overturned with trainers Gordon Elliott and Noel Meade side-by-side.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 31, 2025
Revised result
1st Ndaawi (Elliott)
2nd Helvic Dream (Meade) pic.twitter.com/Cm1QewHuni
Evidence was heard from both jockeys and trainers.
The Appeals Body viewed a recording of the race from all integrity cameras including the drone footage.
Having considered all of the evidence, the Appeals Body opted not to change the ruling from race day.
Mrs Justice Siobhan Keegan, of the three-person committee, said on their behalf: "We do reflect that all of the participants in this appeal are experienced professionals, and we understand the positions that they respectively hold.
"The ultimate decision that we have to reach is whether the stewards erred in their decision on the day and whether we should uphold the decision or reach a different view on this.
"Having viewed all the recordings of the race and considered all of the evidence we have to come to our decision, mindful that these determinations are on the balance of probabilities.
"We also want to say that we can well see why an appeal has been brought in this case. (We are) dealing with a case where each side has made some valid points and there are points to be made on each side of the argument.
"Looking at the notice of appeal in summary, we think it is an underestimate to say that there was minor contact in this race. We think it is an oversimplification to say that the second horse always had racing room.
"In coming to our conclusion, we cannot be satisfied that the stewards erred in their decision to reverse the placings.
"In summary that is because interference has occurred, and it was caused by Mr Meyler. Whilst Mr Kennedy’s horse may not have obviously lost its own momentum, he was clearly significantly pressed for space so near the rail and he was not able to ride his strongest race. We must therefore dismiss the appeal."
Meade was awarded some of the cost of making his appeal.
The IHRB committee said: "In the particular circumstances, given what we have said, we are minded to refund the deposit to Mr Meade on this occasion."
Additional reporting: PA
