The Referrals Committee, Justice Tony Hunt (in the Chair), Nicholas P. Lambert and Sean Barry met at the Offices of the IHRB, Curragh, Co. Kildare on Thursday, 9th August 2018 to consider whether or not Henry de Bromhead, Trainer, was in breach of any rules as a result of a report received from from LGC Laboratories, Cambridgeshire, UK. The report stated that the urine sample taken from taken from Visioman (FR) following his win in the Clonmel Racecourse Supporters Club Guest Evening Rated Novice Hurdle at Clonmel on 17th May 2018 was found to contain Triamcinolone Acetonide (TCA). Under Rule 20 (v) and Regulation R14 of the Rules of Racing and Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Rules TCA 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, Shane Ryan, Kilcash Equine Clinic, (Henry de Bromhead’s veterinary surgeon) and Henry de Bromhead. The Committee also noted a report from Nicola O’Connor MVB and Frank Clune, (IHRB Officials) following a visit to Mr de Bromhead’s Training Establishment on 25th June 2018.
In her evidence, Dr. Hillyer said that TCA is a corticosteroid drug legitimately and commonly used in equine veterinary medicine. It has effective anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and so is often used to treat joint inflammation, sometimes in combination with other medications. It is usually administered intra-articularly (into a joint). As a potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug, TCA is a prohibited substance on race day under Rule 20(v) and Regulation R14 of the Rules of Racing and Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Rules. Dr. Hillyer said that it is difficult to give an accurate detection time for the drug because of the variability in the way the drug is given. Dr. Hillyer stated that the administration of the substance which was the source of the positive test had not been recorded in the Medicines Register.
In his evidence, Shane Ryan outlined how he carried out his role and outlined the new procedures which have now been introduced as a result of the positive test.
In his evidence, Henry de Bromhead accepted that he was in breach of Rule 96(a). He said the horse was treated on 2nd May 2018 with Adcortyl which is a product containing TCA. He said he thought he had left plenty of time for the drug to have left the horse’s system prior to running him at Clonmel based on his previous experience. Mr. de Bromhead accepted that he hadn’t recorded the administration of Adcortyl in the Medicines Register.
Having considered the evidence the Committee were satisfied that Henry de Bromhead was in breach of Rule 96(a). The Committee disqualified Visioman (FR) from first place and ordered that the race result be amended to read as follows: -
First: Leap Dearg
Second: R’evelyn Pleasure
Third: Imperial Way
Fourth: The Granson
Fifth: Force of Forces (FR)
In considering penalty, the Committee noted that they were impressed with the way that Mr. de Bromhead had met the case and also noted that Mr. de Bromhead and his veterinary surgeon had introduced new procedures for dealing with the recording of the administration of medicines. Taking these factors into account, they imposed a fine of €1,000 on Henry de Bromhead as they found that he had not taken all reasonable precautions to avoid a breach of the rule. In addition, they found that he was in breach of Rule 148(iii) for failing to keep the Medicines Register in the manner prescribed. They imposed a caution in respect of this rule breach. They also ordered that he contribute €400 towards the IHRB’s costs.
The case was presented by Cliodhna Guy, Solicitor, Head of Licensing, Legal and Compliance.