Dermot P. O’Brien (Trainer), Prohibited Substance Referral -Tramore – 15th April 2018
The Referrals Committee, Sean Barry (in the chair), Laurence McFerran and John Murphy met at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, The Curragh, Co. Kildare on Monday, 9th July 2018 to consider whether or not Dermot P, O’Brien 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 Glendine River following her win in the www.tramore-racecourse.com Handicap Hurdle at Tramore on on 15th April 2018 was found to contain Omeprazole. Under Rule 20 (v) and Regulation R14 of the Rules of Racing and Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Rules Omeprazole is a prohibited substance.
The trainer did not request that the B sample be tested and accepted the results of the A sample.
Evidence was heard from Dr Lynn Hillyer, Chief Veterinary Officer and Head of Anti-Doping and Dermot P. O’Brien. The Committee also noted a report from Nicola O’Connor, MVB following a visit to Mr. O’Brien’s Training Establishment on 16th May 2018.
In her evidence, Dr. Hillyer said that Omeprazole is an anti-ulcer drug legitimately and commonly used in equine veterinary medicine. It has effective anti-ulcer properties and so is often used to treat this condition.
Dr. Hillyer gave details of the visit to Mr. O’Brien’s Training Establishment on 16th May 2018. It was noted that there was no entry for administration of Omeprazole to Glendine River in the Medicine Register. However, Mr. O’Brien confirmed that Glendine River had started a course of the medication ‘Peptizole’ on 28th March 2018 which continued until 25th April 2018. He said that he had been advised by his veterinary surgeon that the mare could be treated on the day of the race. Dr. Hillyer stated that in her opinion the administration of ‘Peptizole’ on 14th and 15th April (day of the race) was the reason for the adverse analytical finding and, in view of this, she felt that Mr. O’Brien did not take all reasonable steps to avoid a breach of the rule. In addition, Dr. Hillyer stated that under Rule 87(v)(d), Glendine River was not qualified to start for any race at the time as she had been administered a substance other than normal feed and water on the day of the race.
In his evidence, Dermot P. O’Brien accepted what Dr. Hillyer had said. He said that Glendine Girl had been on a course of treatment for ulcers and that he had been advised by one of his vets that the mare could run. He said that the vet concerned did not specialise in equine work. He accepted that he had made a mistake and apologised for the inconvenience caused. He concluded by accepting that he was in breach of Rule 96(a).
Having considered the evidence the Committee were satisfied that Dermot P. O’Brien was in breach of Rule 96 (a).
The Committee disqualified Glendine River from first place and ordered that the race result be amended to read as follows: -
First: Carrigready
Second: Cappuccino Man
Third: Wee Small Hours
Fourth: Jefferson Davis
Fifth: Seskin Flyer
They imposed a fine of €1,000 on Dermot P. O’Brien as they found that there was no evidence that the substance was administered unknowingly and neither did they accept that Mr. O’Brien had taken all reasonable steps to avoid a breach of the rule
The case presented to the Committee by Cliodhna Guy, Head of Licensing, Legal and Compliance.