Rachael Blackmore will have to serve a five-day racing ban after a decision from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB).
The Irish rider came into a spot of bother during the course of the 3m handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan Racecourse in Westmeath on May 12.
Blackmore was riding Lady Rita when she attempted to pull up with a circuit still remaining after thinking she had passed the winning post.
The 33-year-old was five lengths clear after successfully clearing the eighth hurdle before deciding to pull her mount despite the race still having a lap of the course remaining.
After realising her error, Blackmore then continued the race and Lady Rita ultimately finished up in fourth place by a distance of 21 lengths.
The 2021 Grand National winner was summoned to the stewards’ room after the race wrapped up where she stated that the horse had become ‘lairy’ and needed to be eased back.
The stewards then took no action as they were uncertain whether Lady Rita had actually caused her to miss out on the best place possible.
The issue was then taken up by the IHRB who have since determined that a misjudgement was made on the Irish star’s behalf.
‘Any rider who fails to obtain their best possible placing as a result of negligent misjudgement (including a misjudgement of the winning post or the number of circuits, easing their mount without good reason or stopping riding) shall be guilty of an offence under this sub-rule,’ the board said in a statement.
