Vet says tests are ‘far too sensitive’

Mr Sheeran comments as follows: - I wish to state that a medication test taken from Landliebe in Rome on May 29th has proven positive for a sedative that I administered.

On April 17th 2004 I treated LandLiebe for mild back pain. It was essential that she remained calm during the period of treatment, and therefore I administered a mild sedative. This is a routine procedure, commonly used and in the best interests of the horse, and with the information available to me. I advised my client Cian O’Connor that the medication would be out of the horse’s system in no later that two weeks. It is only now that I have established the link that both horses have tested positive for medication that I administered, well over a month, in both cases before competition.

I wanted to reiterate that the medication that I administered to the horses on both occasions is firstly, my standard procedure, and secondly is in the best interests of the horse, so that it doesn’t further injure itself during a rest and recuperation period remote from competition.