The Referrals Committee, Sean Barry (in the Chair), J.R. Craigie and N.P. Lambert met at the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare on Monday 28th September 2015, to consider whether or not Edmond Kent, Restricted Trainer, was in breach of any rules as a result of a random stable inspection carried out at his Training Establishment on 1st September 2015 by Turf Club officials Michael O’Donoghue and Nicola O’Connor, M.V.B.

During the inspection the officials found a number of anomalies including:
i) The Turf Club Medicines Register was blank
ii) A failure to return Christy Daly as a registered stable employee

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

Evidence was heard from Nicola O’Connor M.V.B, Michael O’Donoghue and Edmond Kent. 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 her evidence Nicola O’Connor M.V.B. said that the Medicines Register was blank but that Mr Kent kept a daily diary which set out details of the medicines administered to horses under his care. However it appeared that the majority of these entries related to his brood mares and not the racehorses. She explained the importance of the Medicines Register being maintained. She concluded by saying that the records Mr Kent had maintained in his diary were not being kept in accordance with the provisions of Rule 148(iii)(b).

In his evidence Michael O’Donoghue referred to an employee that worked for Mr Kent on a part-time basis, who he said had not been registered as a stable employee with the Turf Club and this appeared to be in breach of the rule.

In his evidence Edmond Kent accepted that he had not kept the Medicines Register in the required format. He said he is now keeping the Medicines Register up to date and the various entries in the register are being made by his veterinary surgeon.

In relation to the employee not registered, Mr Kent said that the employee concerned works more on the stud side of his operations and as such he was not aware that the employee needed to be registered. He confirmed that in future he would register all employees that were in any way involved in his racing operation.

Mr Kent also updated the Committee on a number of other issues he had addressed since the inspection.

Having considered the evidence the Committee found Edmond Kent to be in breach of Rule 148(iii)(b) for failing to maintain the Medicines Register in the required format. He was fined €130 in respect of this rule breach. He was also found in breach of Rules 149(i) and (ii) for failing to register a stable employee with the Turf Club and was fined €130 for this omission.

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