Further to the Veterinary and Welfare Commission hearing on 04/11/2020 to consider the details of the positive medication findings against your horse ‘Foxfield Stephen, when tested in Portmarnock on 20/09/2020, the following penalties are to be applied:
- A fine of €500.
- Loss of the race result and associated prize money.
- The horse must be re-tested at your expense and return a negative result prior to returning to racing.
- Any handicap penalties incurred as a result of the race shall be retained.
- In addition, the costs associated with the hearing process will be included
The hearing panel was composed of Marcus Swail, David Sheehy and Liam Delaney. In coming to the above decision, the panel considered the nature of the prohibited substance in the positive sample – phenylbutazone.
This substance, while it has a legitimate therapeutic use in the horse, is not permitted to be present in a sample submitted on the day of a race. Consideration was also given to some inconsistencies in the submitted evidence and the lack of any supporting documentation.
Finally, please be aware that the Medirecord app to record the administration of medication to horses under your care has been introduced. It should be used to record the administration of all medications and will also help avoid future prohibited substances rule breaches.
