The Referrals Committee, Justice Tony Hunt, (in the chair), Mr. Peter M. Allen and Mr. Peter N. Reynolds convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), The Curragh, Co Kildare on 4th August 2020 to consider whether or not J.M. Oxx (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 I Know I Can (GB) following his win in the Irish Stallions Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden (Division II) at Sligo on 2nd July 2020, 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 triamcinolone acetonide is a prohibited substance.
The trainer declined the option to have the B sample analysed.
Evidence was heard from Dr. Lynn Hillyer, IHRB Chief Veterinary Officer and Head of Anti-Doping and Mr. John Oxx.
In her evidence, Dr Hillyer summarised the investigation into the adverse analytical finding. She confirmed that TCA is a corticosteroid anti-inflammatory medication commonly used in equine practice. She stated that Mr. Oxx’s confirmed to her that I Know I Can (GB) had been treated with Adcortyl, a product containing TCA, 21 days before the race at Sligo and that this was confirmed in his medicines register. This was reported as injected into the stifle of I Know I Can (GB) at a dose of 10mg. Dr. Hillyer stated that the minimum recommended stand down time for TCA would be 14 days but added that the stifle is a complex joint and can be associated with longer excretion times than might be expected.
In his evidence, Mr. Oxx stated that he felt he was being scrupulous allowing such a withdrawal time but accepted the findings and assured that greater care would be taken in the future. He added that he had taken up the offer of elective testing for I Know I Can (GB) and a subsequent sample had been taken from the horse returned a negative result.
Having considered the evidence, the Committee were satisfied that Mr. Oxx was in breach of Rule 96(a) as a prohibited substance was present in the sample taken from the horse. They disqualified I Know I Can (GB), ordered that the stake be forfeited and amended the result to read as follows:
First: Laurel Wreath (GB)
Second: Lilandra (FR)
Third: Aqueliga (IRE)
Fourth: Sin E Shekells (GB)
Fifth: Clear Quartz (IRE)
Sixth: Celtic Force (IRE)
The Committee also imposed a €1,000 fine on Mr. Oxx, however waived it under Rule 96(a). They also awarded costs of €500 to the IHRB and strongly reminded Trainers of their responsibilities in relation to withdrawal times for medications and reminded all Trainers of the information available on the IHRB website and that they can seek further advice from the IHRB via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The case was presented by Cliodhna Guy, Head of Legal, Licensing & Compliance.