The Referrals Committee, Dr. Gordon A. Holmes (in the Chair), Mrs. J.O. Onions and Mr. Peter N. Reynolds met in the Turf Club, the Curragh, Co. Kildare on 5th May 2009 to consider a report from IMIM Hospitaldelmar in Barcelona, Spain that a sample of urine taken from J.J. Smyth, Qualified Rider, during in-competition testing on 15th February 2009 at Leopardstown, Co. Dublin was found to contain a metabolite of Cannabis.  Cannabis is a banned substance under the Rules of Racing because it acts as a psychotropic agent on the central nervous system and is prohibited in-competition pursuant to the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List International Standard as adopted by the Turf Club.

Evidence was heard from Denis Egan, Chief Executive of the Irish Turf Club, William Fitzpatrick (former flatmate of J.J. Smyth), J.J. Smyth and Liam Lennon, Trainer.

Having considered all the evidence and noting that J.J. Smyth had admitted the offence at an early stage and did  not request that the “B” sample be analysed, they found that J.J. Smyth was in breach of Rule 277 and guilty of a doping offence.  They fined Mr. Smyth €500 and ordered that he pay costs of €250.  In arriving at the penalty the Committee took into account Mr. Smyth’s good record and his admission of the breach of rules at the earliest possible opportunity.

The case was presented by Mr. Conal Boyce, Wilkinson & Price Solicitors, Naas, Co. Kildare. 
J.J. Smyth was represented by Mr. Andrew Coonan, Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, Co. Kildare.