Grassick: Drugs Are Not Prevalent In Irish Racing

Speaking before the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee at the latest of a series of hearings prompted by trainer Jim Bolger's claim that there would be “a Lance Armstrong” in Irish racing, Irish Racehorse Trainers Association Chief Executive Michael Grassick said he has never been “approached or given information that there were illegal substances being used on horses in training.”

“In my previous life, before I took over the position as CEO of the trainers' association, I was a trainer for 35 years myself and never in my time as a trainer or as CEO of the trainers' association was I ever approached or given information that there were illegal substances being used on horses in training,” Grassick said. “Normally, if that information doesn't come to me it would go to the [Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board]. They are the regulators, so it would be them that would see that sort of information. There are about 350 members who hold a trainer's licence and there's only eight of those trainers that are not a member of the trainers' association.

Bolger first made claims that there is serious doping in Irish racing in a media interview last October, and he made similar comments again to a Sunday Independent reporter this spring but declined to attend the agriculture board's hearings.

“I was surprised [by the claims],” Grassick admitted. “I would have spoke to [Bolger] a couple of months ago, when this first came up. Since Mar. 19 he's no longer a member of the trainers' association. I spoke to him for a long period of time and he had no names of any trainers involved or the names of any drugs. He had no additional information that he could give to me.”

Asked whether he thought there was a problem with doping in Irish racing, Grassick said, “I'd be naive to think nothing ever takes place, but I am personally not aware of anything–nothing has been brought to my attention. Anything would go before the IHRB. It's up to them to investigate if they feel that there is something in Irish racing.

“The amount of testing that goes on pre-race and post-race–if there's anything untoward, it is found. You hear rumours, [but] it's rumours–I can't act on rumours. I can only act on facts and any information that's given to me. As I've said before, if I received any information, I'd go to the IHRB. It's up to them as the regulatory body to investigate.”

Horse Racing Ireland Chief Executive Brian Kavanagh, IHRB Chief Executive Denis Egan and IHRB Chief Veterinary Officer Lynn Hillyer appeared once again at the meeting, with Hillyer addressing an instance of six horses sold from Ireland to the UK who were alleged to have traces of anabolic steroids in their systems.

“I can absolutely and categorically confirm that the six horses originally tested by the BHA were followed up with further testing involving three horses and that is one of the most extensive pieces of work I've ever seen–they went back some three years in terms of hair testing,” she said. “They also undertook sampling unannounced, targeted, intelligence-led– proper stuff–sampling of horses related to those six horses on track over a number of months in England. It was only when that work was completed they were satisfied to say to us that they were happy there was no problem.”

Hillyer addressed the fact that Ireland does not have a system to monitor or register horse movement outside of training.

“You're completely right, we don't have a movement database for horses as is present for cattle, but we would love one and we are working hard on that with other authorities,” she said. “But right here right now, our way to deal with that is to do our homework properly so when we attend a yard, if we have concerns about animals moving, my officers are briefed to literally park behind the horse lorries and make sure they have gone onto the back gate.”

Kavanagh, among other topics, provided an update on racing's response to a BBC Panorama programme slated to air next week focusing on welfare issues of retired racehorses.

“We have had engagement with the production company over the last 10 days, as have our British Horseracing Authority counterparts,” Kavanagh said. “I'm not aware of any legal challenges. We've responded to queries and hopefully that will be reflected in the programme which is due to be broadcast next Monday.

“I think it's very hard to be specific about a programme before it has been published, with regard to promotional material, it's very unspecific and general so until the programme is broadcast, I think it would be wrong to get into a level of detail on something that's going to happen next week.”

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IHRB Issues Strong Anti-Doping Statement

Following Irish trainer Jim Bolger voicing his concerns on doping in Irish racing this past weekend, a strong statement against doping was issued by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Monday evening.

The statement read: “Following comments made recently, the IHRB can once again stress there is a zero-tolerance approach to doping in Irish racing and we operate to the highest level using LGC Laboratories in Newmarket, who are one of five International Federation Horseracing Authorities certified laboratories in the world, and the same laboratory used by the British Horseracing Authority.

“The IHRB will continue our extensive testing programme with 5,000 samples in 2021, once again including every race winner, additional raceday samples, out of competition samples and now also at unlicensed premises following on from the receipt of authorised officer status for 12 employees of the IHRB last month, which allows us to access and sample any thoroughbred at any time in Ireland.

“Each and every one of the samples taken are sent to LGC for analysis and any sample that returns an adverse analytical finding is acted upon, and details published, following our disciplinary process. LGC have been world leaders in anabolic steroid detection for over 60 years and most recently have led detection of these drugs in hair.”

Since May, the IHRB authorised officers have visited studs, consignors and pre-training yards besides licenced trainers, with about a quarter of the samples collected being out-of-competition tests.

Denis Egan, CEO of the IHRB said, “There is no room for complacency when it comes to equine anti-doping. The IHRB have shown that by significant increases in testing over the last number of years, and through collaboration with LGC, we have been able to take advantage of the science available.

“Our focus is on risk-based and intelligence led strategy which directs us to get the right sample from the right horse at the right time. The appointment of IHRB officials as authorised officers further strengthens that.”

Brian Kavanagh, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, added, “Ireland is a global leader in racing and breeding, and that position brings with it a responsibility to always be vigilant when it comes to anti-doping.

“HRI considers it crucial that continuous investment is made in ensuring that testing is constantly increasing in both numbers and agility, utilising the most modern techniques, and is of an internationally accredited standard.

“HRI has consistently increased its investment in anti-doping through the IHRB in recent years, and that will continue to be the case. This is not a closed industry so I would encourage anybody who believes that there are people operating outside of the rules, to contact the IHRB and make their concerns known.”

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Brian Kavanagh Named Curragh Chief Executive

Brian Kavanagh, whose 20-year tenure as chief executive officer of Horse Racing Ireland comes to an end upon the conclusion of his latest term in September, will in November take up the role of chief executive officer of The Curragh. Kavanagh takes over from Pat Keogh, who has been in the role since July of 2019.

Padraig McManus, chairman of the board of The Curragh, said, “The board are looking forward to welcoming Brian into his new role as CEO of The Curragh Racecourse and training grounds, and look forward to Brian leading The Curragh as we prepare for racing post-Covid world and growing the world-class training ground facilities here at The Curragh together with the strong, committed team we have already in place.

“We also want to put on record how extremely grateful we are to Pat Keogh for the tremendous job he has done, and his leadership of The Curragh Racecourse and training grounds over the last two years.”

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Irish Derby Meeting First to Welcome Racegoers

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby meeting on June 26 is expected to be the first racing fixture in the country to welcome up to 1,000 fans, the Taoiseach Micheal Martin confirmed Friday evening. Horse owners are expected to be allowed on course beginning June 7. The Irish Field was first to report the news.

“We expect to be in a position to welcome owners back on track with effect from June 7,” HRI Chief Executive Brian Kavanagh told the publication. “This would be a brilliant outcome as owners have been incredibly patient during the last 12 months, keeping the industry going and continuing to support racing despite not being able to attend in person.”

The Irish Field reported that HRI has submitted proposals to the government laying out how owners, sponsors and a limited number of racegoers might be accommodated. The Irish Field said that it had been confirmed that horse racing will be part of the government's trials for the return of crowds to sporting events.

Irish Field reports that no indoor facilities will be accessible to owners or fans.

“Initially, everything will be outdoors. But as indoor dining returns more generally then hopefully those type of options will become available,” Kavanagh told the paper.

Peter Burke, Fine Gael TD for Longford-Westmeath and Minister for State, has been a proponent of the racing industry in Government since the onset of COVID-19 and told Irish Field: “As our economy continues to reopen, it is crucial we build up capacity at racecourses to build in viability and to acknowledge the huge impact and spin-off racing has to our local economy, in terms of jobs and investment. I have worked to ensure racing is prioritised by Government over the months ahead.”

Earlier this week, it was announced that up to 12,000 fans will be admitted to each of the five days of the Royal Ascot meeting next month.

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