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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Harrington Banned For Two Weeks And Fined After Covid Protocol Breach

Trainer Jessica Harrington has been banned from attending the races for two weeks and fined €3,500 after breaking COVID-19 protocols at Aintree's Grand National meeting, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board announced on Monday. Harrington “acted in a manner which was prejudicial to the proper conduct or good reputation of horseracing” the IHRB hearing found and her ban will last until May 24.

Harrington, who had both Magic of Light (Ire) (Flemensfirth) and Jett (Ire) (Flemensfirth) in the Grand National, did not stay in the 'Irish Bubble' set up for the duration of the three-day meeting in line with COVID-19 protocols. Originally planning to travel the day of the Grand National and return to Ireland that evening, thus not needing the 'Irish Bubble' the trainer said she was aware of the protocols. However, she changed her plans and traveled on the Friday to carrying out some independent business with owners who had a horse they wanted her to look at. As a result, Harrington stayed with those owners instead. At the time, Harrington felt she was not breaking the rules, as she never entered the 'Irish Bubble' on race day. She now accepts that she was in breach of COVID-19 protocols.

Hearing chairman Mr. Justice Raymond Groarke noted that “a breach of these protocols could have enormous consequences for racing in Ireland and that Mrs. Harrington accepts that she has been in breach of the rules.”

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Point-To-Points To Resume on Apr. 10

A phased and limited reintroduction of Irish point-to-points will begin on Apr. 10. The point-to-point season had been suspended on Jan. 13 in light of coronavirus restrictions.

Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board will assist in ensuring that these fixtures are staged in a safe and controlled manner, based on the health and safety protocols which have been applied at race meetings. Four fixtures have been confirmed-Cork on Apr. 10, Tipperary on Apr. 11 and Fairyhouse on Apr. 17 and 18. Only essential staff will be authorised to attend. Details of further fixtures will be announced later this week.

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Elliott Head Lad Banned For Taking Photo

Simon McGonagle, head lad to currently disqualified trainer Gordon Elliott, has been banned nine months, with the last seven months of the ban suspended, by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board for taking the photo of Elliott sitting aboard a dead horse that circulated on social media and led to Elliott's own six-month ban. The last seven months of McGonagle's ban will be suspended for a year, after which the disqualification will lapse. McGonagle's ban begins on Apr. 16.

McGonagle, who has been employed within the racing industry for approximately 30 years and first started working for Elliott in 2007, was found by the IHRB to have acted in a manner prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of horse racing-a charge that was also brought against Elliott. McGonagle did not contest in his hearing that he took the photograph, and the committee learned that he shared it with five friends. This ultimately led to the photograph becoming public from an unknown source. McGonagle accepted that “by virtue of his actions he was part of a chain of events that has caused damage to the integrity of racing and he fully understands the outrage expressed in relation to this image.”

The IHRB said in a statement, “We will not repeat what has been said before about the awful image at the heart of this case. The taking of the image was ill-judged and in bad taste and we consider that Mr. McGonagle should have known better as a head lad involved in the industry for a considerable time. As head lad he should also show a good example to others in the yard. However, we reiterate the points made in the Elliott case that this incident is not concerned with cruelty or horse welfare. Also, having heard the evidence in this case we are no further on as to how this image came into the public domain and we can reach no conclusions on that issue. We reach the sanction having considered all of the circumstances, aggravating and mitigating factors, bearing in mind the seriousness of the offence and the need for deterrence, and considering Mr. McGonagle's personal circumstances, in order to reach a proportionate result.”

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