Lifetime bans for drugged horses

‘Cheats will not be tolerated in Irish racing’ was the hard-hitting message from a report yesterday published by Horse Racing Ireland and constructed by the Irish Thoroughbred Industry Anti-Doping Task Force, which recommended imposing lifetime bans on horses found to have been illicitly administered prohibited substances.

The Irish Thoroughbred Industry Anti-Doping Task Force was set up following the disqualification of trainer Philip Fenton in 2014 after he was found to have banned animal substances, including anabolic steroids, in his possession.

The report sets out several strong recommendations to enhance the integrity of the sport, including increased out-of-competition testing, while the lifetime ban applies to Irish Racing for horses administered a banned substance at anytime, anywhere in the world.