Two jockeys stood down from Galway races after failing alcohol tests
Two jockeys were stood down by stewards after failing alcohol tests on the final day of the Galway racing festival. Pic: PA Wire.
Two jockeys were stood down by stewards after failing alcohol tests on the final day of the Galway racing festival.
Eoin Staples and Leigh Roche were both pulled from their respective races after failing to pass a pre-race examination.
According to the Racing Post, a report made by the doping control officer Sinead Tarrant showed that Staples was tested at 1.27pm and 1.38pm but while the results of both tests were negative, they did display an amber result, suggesting trace amounts of alcohol.
The jockey then underwent a lab test, which returned a level in excess of 22 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, which is the legal drink driving limit in Ireland.
The jockey accepted the findings but told stewards that his need to lose a considerable amount of weight in a short space of time for racing may have factored into the result.
Roche, who was also subject to testing before racing, returned an amber reading following a test at 3.06pm and a red reading at 3.15pm, after which an Alcometer reading returned a result in excess of 22 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
Both cases were referred to the referrals committee in accordance with the provisions of Rule 14(i)(c).
