G. Cromwell  -  “Crossdresser” Prohibited Substance

Punchestown, 29th April, 2009.

The Referrals Committee, Dr. Gordon A. Holmes (in the Chair), Mr. P.J.A. O’Connor and Mrs. T.K. Cooper, met in the Stewards Room at Galway Racecourse, Ballybrit, Co. Galway, on Tuesday 28th July, 2009, to consider a report from BHP Laboratories in Limerick that the biological fluid sample taken from “Crossdresser” following its run in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel 4-y-o Hurdle at Punchestown on 29th April, 2009, was found to contain Frusemide which under Rule 20 (v) and Regulation R14 is a Prohibited Substance. 

Evidence was heard from Mr. G. Cromwell, Trainer, and Dr. Tom Barragry, Pharmacologist. 

Having considered the evidence the Committee fined Mr. Cromwell €5,000 plus costs.  The Committee also disqualified “Crossdresser” from third place and ordered the records be amended to read as follows:-

First:  No One Tells Me (GB)
Second: Moville
Third:  Carrigmartin
Fourth: French Riviera (GB)

The Committee were critical of Mr. Cromwell’s controls in respect of the administration of medicines.  They also ordered that a transcript of the hearing be sent to the Licensing Committee.

The case was presented to the Committee by Mr. Conal Boyce of Wilkinson and Price Solicitors, Naas, Co. Kildare and Mr. Eugene Gleeson, Senior Counsel, represented Mr. G. Cromwell.