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PHILIP BYRNES WAS UNSEATED AT THE FINAL FLIGHT WHEN WELL CLEAR ON REDWOOD QUEEN AT WEXFORD, WITH THE INCIDENT SPARKING A SOCIAL-MEDIA STORM AND BACKLASH FROM ITV RACING PUNDIT MEG NICHOLLS
13:46, 02 Jun 2025 ITV pundit Meg Nicholls bravely gave her no-nonsense verdict on Philip Byrnes' controversial Wexford fall. The jockey was unseated at the final fence when leading
clear on Redwood Queen. His fall has sparked an investigation by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board amid the mare being a huge drifter from 7/2 to 13/2 in the betting before the start of
the race. Following the social media outrage and backlash, ITV Racing discussed the incident with former jockeys Nicholls and Mick Fitzgerald as the two analysed Byrnes' riding
position and subsequent fall. Fitzgerald gave his view on the unseat as footage was shown to viewers and said: "When you see it on the head-on angle, watch what happens, you'll see
his foot come flying out of the stirrup and suddenly his balance has gone to the other side and then he's gone." However, Meg, the daughter of multiple-times champion trainer
Paul, said: "But Mick, you have to argue that, to watch that, it looks as if he's jumping off before the horse has basically taken off for the hurdle." Article continues below
Asked by Fitzgerald: "So come on then, what are you saying, that he jumped off?" Nicholls didn't hold back on her view of the incident. She replied without hesitation:
"I think it looks like it. Watching that it looks as if he is preparing… his knee is out already. He is pushing himself out the left hand side. It looks as if he is trying to come
off." Byrnes' father, Charles, has since broken his silence and taken aim at those questioning his son's fall. He said: "The mare was running well, going down to the
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"Philip has had a couple of last fence falls recently so he wanted her to go in short, pop it and make doubly sure. But she came up out of his hands, hit him on the backside and he was
knocked off balance. Article continues below "He is very upset about it and won't look at his phone. I was delighted he was able to go racing in Limerick the next day and he gave
our two runners two good rides there. The other jockeys have been very supportive, to be fair to them. "Philip is only 21 and I hope he can get over this setback. He is a good rider. He
doesn't get many outside rides but anyone who has used him has been very happy with him. "It's a sad day if the Turf Club has to hold an investigation to please these
faceless people on social media. We will answer any questions they have. We have nothing to answer to."