Robert Tyner (Trainer) – Prohibited Substance Referral Punchestown, 31st December 2018
The Referrals Committee, Justice Tony Hunt, (in the chair), Mr. Philip Caffrey and Mr. Philip McLernon met at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), The Curragh, Co Kildare on 18th June 2019 to consider whether or not Robert Tyner, Trainer, was in breach of any rules as a result of a report received from LGC Laboratories, Fordham, UK.
The report stated that the urine sample taken from Blast of Koeman following his win in the Happy New Year From thetote.com Hurdle at Punchestown on 31st December 2018, was found to contain tetramisole. Under Rule 20 (v) and Regulation R14 of the Rules of Racing and Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Rules tetramisole is a prohibited substance.
The trainer declined the option to have the B sample to be analysed.
Evidence was heard from Dr. Lynn Hillyer, IHRB Chief Veterinary Officer and Head of Anti-Doping and Mr. Tyner.
Dr. Hillyer stated that during the investigation of the post-race finding, Mr. Tyner reported that a broodmare stabled next door to Blast Of Koeman was being treated with Levacide, a worm drench licenced for use in cattle and sheep but also used as a ‘pick me up’ in horses and this had been administered in error to Blast Of Koeman. The account was consistent with the findings in the post-race sample.
The Committee also noted a report from Dr. Hillyer following a visit to Mr. Tyner’s training establishment on 22nd January 2019 and that all 28 horses that were sampled on that occasion returned negative.
In his evidence, Mr. Tyner accepted the presence of a prohibited substance in the sample. Mr. Tyner explained that the product containing tetramisole was being administered to a different horse on his premises but was instead mistakenly given to Blast Of Koeman.
Dr Hillyer added that the importance of stabling horses on treatments away from those running, particularly for the 48 hours ahead of an engagement, cannot be stressed enough. If this is not possible then strict control of the administration of prohibited substances must become routine.
Having considered the evidence the Committee were satisfied that Mr. Tyner was in breach of Rule 96(a) in that his horse had a prohibited substance present. They disqualified Blast Of Koeman, ordered that the stake be forfeited and amended the result to read as follows:
First: Brave Out
Second: Jake Peter
Third: Stooshie
Fourth: Broder
Fifth: Thomas O’Malley
The Committee also imposed a €1,000 fine on Mr. Tyner under Rule 96(a) as reasonable precautions had not been taken by the Trainer to ensure a breach did not occur.
The case was presented by Cliodhna Guy, Head of Legal, Licensing & Compliance.