The Referrals Committee, Judge Tony Hunt (in the Chair), Paul Ronan and Con O’Mahony met in the Turf Club on 10th August 2010 to consider a report from IMIM Hospitaldelmar in Barcelona, Spain regarding the fact that a sample of urine taken from M.A. Enright, apprentice jockey, during in-competition testing on 7th July 2010 at Naas Racecourse, Co. Kildare, was found to contain Furosemide.  Under the Rules of Racing and Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Rules, Furosemide is a banned substance because it is a diuretic which acts on the kidneys and inhibits the reabsorbsion of water and has a diuretic effect.  Furosemide is prohibited at all times (in and out of competition) pursuant to the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List International Standard as adopted by the Turf Club.  M.A. Enright, through his solicitors, Coonan Cawley, accepted the findings of the ‘A’ sample and did not request the ‘B’ sample to be tested.

Evidence was heard from Dr. Adrian McGoldrick, Senior Turf Club Medical Officer, Denis Egan, Chief Executive of the Turf Club and M.A. Enright.  The Committee also considered a written submission from Thomas Stack, master of M.A Enright.

In his evidence Dr. McGoldrick stated that Furosemide was a very potent diuretic which is used for, amongst other things, rapid weight loss.  He said it was not performance enhancing, but that it can lead to acute dehydration and a fall in blood pressure which is dangerous.

In arriving at their decision the Committee expressed concern about the case and the dangers to the health of Mr. Enright.  They also expressed concern at the side effects which arise as a result of taking a diuretic, which include weakness and dizziness and the inherent dangers this creates while race riding.  They also noted that Mr. Enright admitted that he knowingly broke the rules by taking a diuretic to ride at a low weight at Naas.  In mitigation, they took into account that Mr. Enright had pleaded guilty to the Rule breach at the earliest opportunity.

Having considered the evidence, the Committee found M.A. Enright to be in breach of Rule 277(i) and fined him €300 and also ordered that he pay a contribution of €250 towards the hearing costs.

The case was presented by Denis Egan, Chief Executive of the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare and M.A. Enright was represented by Andrew Coonan, Coonan Cawley Solicitors, Naas, Co. Kildare.