Aidan Anthony Howard – “Greengables” Prohibited Substance
Sligo, 1st October 2009

The Referrals Committee, Dr. Gordon A. Holmes (in the Chair), Mrs. J.O. Onions and Mr. John Powell met in the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, on 28th January 2010 to consider a report from BHP Laboratories in Limerick that the biological fluid sample taken from “Greengables” following the horse’s success in the Join the 2010 Sligo Race Supporters Club Handicap Hurdle at Sligo on 1st October 2009 was found to contain Frusemide, which under Rule 20 (v) and Regulation R14, is a Prohibited Substance.

Evidence was heard from Mr. Aidan A. Howard, Trainer, who admitted that the substance found had inadvertently been given to the wrong horse.  Evidence was also heard from Dr. Tom Barragry, Pharmacologist.

Having considered the evidence the Committee fined Mr. Howard €1,500.  In arriving at their decision, the Committee noted Mr. Howard’s excellent record and that the substance was administered inadvertently.  On the other hand, however, the Committee took into account the fact that detailed guidelines had been published in August and September 2009 to provide assistance to trainers so as to minimise the risk of a positive test result and that these had not been followed. 

The Committee also disqualified “Greengables” from first place and ordered the records be amended to read as follows:-

First:  Olifan D’Oudairies (FR)
Second: Sotally Tober
Third:  Maree Prince
Fourth: Timmelman