The Referrals Committee, Mr. N.B. Wachman, (in the chair), Mr. Joseph M. McGrath and Mr. M.C. Hickey convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) on Wednesday 20th March 2019 to consider whether or not Stephen Michael Hanlon, Trainer, was in breach of any rules as a result of a stable inspection carried out at his Training Establishment on 13th November 2018 by IHRB officials Michael O’Donoghue and Carol Murphy.
During the inspection it was noted that Mr. Hanlon was not wearing a body protector while riding out which is in breach of Rule 148(v)(b). it was also noted that there was no secure medicines storage unit as required under the Rules and there had been a failure to maintain the Medicines Register.
The trainer Mr. Hanlon was in attendance and in his evidence, he confirmed that he had been riding without a back protector which he stated was being repaired on the day of the inspection. He stated that he had a medicines unit which was capable of being locked and was also portable. He advised that on the day of the inspection it was in a horsebox. He stated that he was unaware that all treatments administered to the horses under his care should be recorded in the Medicines Register including worming treatments and undertook to ensure compliance with this in future.
Having considered the evidence, the Committee noted that Mr. Hanlon had accepted the charges put to him. In relation to penalty, the Committee imposed a fine of €200 for the breach of Rule 148(v)(b).A fine of €100 was imposed for the failure to have a secure medicines unit in place. The trainer was cautioned in respect of failure to maintain the Medicines Register and reminded him of his obligations.
The case was presented by Ms. Cliodhna Guy, Head of Licensing, Legal and Compliance.