John Egan – Banned Substance

Curragh, 24th March 2013

The Referrals Committee, Judge Tony Hunt (in the Chair), Mrs. J.O. Onions and Philip Caffrey met at the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare on Monday, 15th July 2013 to consider a report from IMIM Hospitaldelmar in Barcelona, Spain, regarding the fact that a sample of urine taken from John Egan (rider), during in-competition testing on 24th March 2013 at the Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare was found to contain Prednisolone. Under the Rules of Racing and Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Rules Prednisolone is a banned substance because it is a glucocorticosteroid.  Prednisolone is prohibited in and out of competition pursuant to the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List International Standard, as adopted by the Turf Club. John Egan had confirmed to the Turf Club on 21st May 2013 that he accepted the results of the “A” sample and did not require the “B” sample to be tested.

Evidence was heard from Dr Carlos McDowell, Turf Club Medical Officer, and John Egan. The committee also considered a letter from Dr Adrian McGoldrick, Senior Turf Club Medical Officer, who confirmed that he had prescribed prednisolone for John Egan.  In her evidence Dr McDowell outlined the effects of prednisolone and the medical reasons why it would be prescribed.

In his evidence John Egan said that he had been prescribed prednisolone for a medical condition and that he used the substance periodically. He said that he had declared the substance previously when being tested but on this occasion had forgotten to do so. He said he had declared other substances on the day in question on the doping control form.  He apologised for his failure to declare Prednisolone.

Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee accepted the explanation given by John Egan for the positive result. They noted that this case was different than previous cases as the substance found would not have been prosecuted if the rider had declared a therapeutic use exemption and they also noted that he had declared such an exemption in the past for this substance.  The Referrals Committee cautioned him to be more careful in the future with such declarations.

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