TRAINER Shark Hanlon's suspension will start on December 1st, the Referrals Committee has decided.

Last week Hanlon received a 10-month ban over his inappropriate transportation of an equine carcass, which was held to have damaged the reputation and public image of racing. Five months of the penalty may be suspended if Hanlon is found to have abided by the conditions imposed by the Referrals Committee for the first half of the suspension.

Hanlon has lodged an appeal against the severity of the ban and, in advance of that hearing, the trainer asked the Referrals Committee this week if the penalty could be deferred until April 1st, 2025.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), who prosecuted the case, responded to Hanlon's request and told the Referrals Committee that "a deferral of sanctions for the extended period sought by Mr Hanlon would undermine the IHRB’s regulatory authority and the deterrent purpose of sanctions generally."

On Thursday afternoon, the Referrals Committee confirmed that the sanction will begin on December 1st. The Committee said in a statement: "To defer a sanction of five or 10-months duration (depending on the ultimate approach taken by Mr Hanlon) for well over six months would tend to have the effects suggested by the IHRB and would disproportionately dilute the effect of the withdrawal sanction."