The Referrals Committee, Sean Barry (in the Chair), Laurence McFerran and Philip Caffrey, met at the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, on Wednesday, 18th May, 2016, to consider whether or not Patrick Neville (Trainer) was in breach of the Rules of Racing as a result of a random stable inspection carried out at his Training Establishment on 10th November, 2015, by Turf Club officials, Michael O’Donoghue, Hugh Hynes and Nicola O’Connor, MVB.

At the inspection certain anomalies arose including:-

(i) Two horses returned in training were not present - Rule 148 (vi).
(ii) The Medicines Storage Unit was unsecured - Rule 148 (iii) (a).
(iii) The Medicines Register was not available for inspection - Rule 148 (iii) (b).
(iv) A Stable Employee was not registered with the Turf Club - Rule 149 (i) and (ii).
(v) Failure to display the Stable Employees Bonus Scheme - Rule 298.5.
(vi) An animal stabled at the training establishment had been administered phenylbutazone and this was not recorded within the passport as required under Regulation R8.

The matter was referred to the Referrals Committee by Josh Byrne, Registrar of the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee.

Evidence was heard from Michael O’Donoghue, Nicola O’Connor, M.V.B and Patrick Neville.  The Committee also considered the inspectors written reports.

Michael O’Donoghue reported that two horses returned in training were not present at the time of the inspection of the training establishment.  He noted that one of the stable employees was not registered and further noted that the Stable Employees Bonus Scheme was not on display in the staff working area.  

Nicola O’Connor M.V.B. reported that all horses on site were in good condition.  She reported that that Mr. Neville was unable to locate the medicines register and furthermore one of the animals on site had been administered phenylbutazone and the passport had not been stamped “unfit for human consumption” which contravened the requirements within Regulation R8.  She further reported that the medicines storage unit was unsecured.
 
Patrick Neville accepted the findings of the Officials at the inspection of his premises and informed the panel that he did not keep medicines on site.  He accepted that the passport was not stamped after an animal had been administered phenylbutazone, but his veterinary surgeon had since recorded the administration in the passport. 

Having considered the evidence, the Referrals Committee found Patrick Neville to be in breach of the Rule 148 (vi) in relation to one horse and fined him €130.  In relation to a breach of Rule 148 (iii) (a) and (b) the Committee fined him €200.  In relation to a breach of Rule 149 (i) and (ii) the Committee fined him €130.  In relation to Rule 298.5 the Committee noted the explanation and cautioned him accordingly.  In relation to a breach of Regulation R8 the Committee fined him €130.

The case was presented to the Committee by Paul Murtagh, Stipendiary Steward.