The Referrals Committee, Mr. Sean Barry, (in the Chair), Mrs. Justice Leonie Reynolds and Mr. M.C. Hickey met at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), The Curragh, Co. Kildare on Friday, 28th September 2018 to consider a review of a penalty imposed on Luke McGuinness, Rider, following a hearing on 29th March 2018 where his licence was suspended for two years with effect from that date as a result of being found in breach of Rule 277(i). At that hearing, the Referrals Committee agreed that they would review the penalty imposed after six months provided that Mr. McGuinness fully engaged and cooperated with a rehabilitation programme which included cooperation with requests from Dr. Adrian McGoldrick, IHRB Senior Medical Officer.
Submissions were made by Dr. McGoldrick, Senior Medical Officer, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board and Mr. McGuinness. The Committee also considered a written report from Professor Colm O’Gara and Adrian McGuinness, Trainer, employer of Mr. McGuinness.
In his submission, Dr. McGoldrick confirmed that Mr. McGuinness had complied with all requests made and outlined how Mr. McGuinness had cooperated with the programme.
In his submission, Mr. McGuinness confirmed what he had done as part of the programme and how he intended to continue in the future. He also expressed a strong desire to go back race riding.
Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee decided to suspend the remaining eighteen months of the suspension on Mr. McGuinness’s licence under Rule 19A 8(ix) with effect from 15th October, 2018 and to allow him to return to race riding on the condition that he submit to any in or out of competition testing required by the IHRB for the remaining eighteen months of the suspension period (to 28th March 2020). They commended his honest approach to the matter and the work he had done however, they advised that if there were any further breaches of rules in relation to anti-doping within eighteen months from 15th October, 2018; the suspended period of eighteen months sanction may be reactivated in addition to any further sanctions which may be imposed in respect of the further offences.
The case was presented by Cliodhna Guy, Head of Licensing, Legal & Compliance.