The Referrals Committee, Sean Barry (in the chair), Philip Caffrey and Robert Dore met in the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare on Wednesday, 4th March 2015, to consider whether or not William Coleman O’Brien, Trainer, was in breach of any rules as a result of a random stable inspection carried out at his Training Establishment on 12th January 2015 by Turf Club officials Michael O’Donoghue and Nicola O’Connor M.V.B.

During the inspection they found a number of anomalies including that:

i) Sovereign Lord and Western Bridge had not been returned out of training despite having left Mr Coleman O’Brien’s care over 3 months ago;

ii) A stable employee was observed riding out without a body protector;

iii) The Stable Employees Bonus Scheme payment details were not displayed and a Turf Club request for a breakdown of the monies disbursed had been ignored;

iv) There was no secure veterinary medicines storage area;

v) The Medicines Register was blank.

The matter was referred to the Referrals Committee by Denis Egan, Chief Executive of the Turf Club.

Evidence was heard from Michael O’Donoghue and William Coleman O’Brien. The Committee also considered a written report on the visit which was completed by Michael O’Donoghue and Nicola O’Connor M.V.B.

In his evidence Michael O’Donoghue outlined the main findings from his visit to William Coleman O’Brien’s Training Establishment on 12th January 2015.

In his evidence William Coleman O’Brien accepted the points made by Michael O’Donoghue under (i), (ii) and (v) above. In relation to the Stable Employee Bonus Scheme payment details, he said this had now been rectified. Mr Colman O’Brien disputed the fact that there was no secure veterinary medicines storage area. He said that medicines were kept in a box in an office which is locked when it is vacant.

With regard to the failure to record all medicines administered in the Medicines Register, Mr Coleman O’Brien said that he was not aware that doses which he bought over the counter had to be recorded. He said he is now recording all administrations.

Having considered the evidence, the Committee found that William Coleman O’Brien was in breach of:

i) Rule 148(vi) for failing to return Sovereign Lord and Western Bridge out of training. He was fined €260 (€130 x 2) in respect of this rule breach.

ii) Rule 148(v)(b) as a result of a Stable Employee riding out without using a body protector. He was fined €200 in respect of this rule breach.

iii) Rule 148(iii)(b) for failing to keep his medicines register up to date. He was cautioned in respect of this rule breach.

He was also ordered to pay €100 towards the Turf Club's costs.

The case was presented by Conal Boyce, Solicitor, Naas, Co. Kildare.