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The Referrals Committee, Mr Peter Allen (Chair), Ms Meta Osborne and Mr Michael Sheahan convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Tuesday, 9 June 2026 to consider whether Mr Kieran Roche (Handler) was in breach of any rules of racing as a result of a report received from LGC Laboratories, Newmarket, England.
The report received on 21 October 2025, confirmed that the blood sample taken from Arklow following her win in the Francis Derwin & T Murray & Sons Ltd Maiden Race for Five Year Olds and upwards Mares on 19 October 2025 was confirmed by LGC Laboratories to contain meloxicam.
At the hearing, evidence was heard from Mr Roche, and the committee also considered an investigation report from Dr Lynn Hillyer, IHRB Chief Veterinary Officer and Dr Graham Adams, IHRB Deputy Head of Veterinary Operations.
In his evidence, Mr Roche accepted he was in breach of a number of Rules and apologised for the lack of controls that were in place at the time. Mr Roche explained that he has been a Handler for 15 years and during this time holding a Handlers Permit he has had no previous breach of the Rules. Mr Roche stated that he was away from the yard the night before the race in question and friends had fed the horses in his absence. Mr Roche suggested that there may have been a mix up while feeding and Arklow could have accessed the feed for an elderly pony who was on his premises and had been prescribed Rheumocam. Mr Roche added that the pony has now moved to a new premises and also confirmed that he has a new Medicines Register to replace a previous one which was damaged in a fire.
Having considered the evidence, Mr Peter Allen read out the following decision on behalf of the Referrals Committee
“We have had the opportunity to consider the evidence and while we appreciate that Mr Roche outlined to us that he wasn’t on the premises at the time due to personal reasons and had entrusted this matter to friends, one being the owner of the horse, unfortunately as the Handler, Mr Roche is the person who does have the responsibility. The duty is on the Handler to ensure that people who are delegated the responsibility are sufficiently au fait with the Rules and Regulations. While this committee appreciate the position that Mr Roche had to attend a funeral and sought assistance to feed the horses, there still is an obligation on the Permit holder.
In view of this, our finding is that under Rule 96(i) that the horse be disqualified from the race, the placings will be amended accordingly and the prize money forfeited. The fine should be €1,500 in relation to this offence.
In relation to Rule 148(i) which concerns the management of the medicines, we appreciate what Mr Roche says in relation to the Medicines Register but we do impose a fine of €1,000, as the responsibility rests with the Handler to ensure these matters are enforced.
In relation to Rule 148(iii) we impose a fine of €500 and in respect of Rule 148(iv) and Rule 148(ix), which are taken together. we also impose a fine of €500.”
The amended result of the Francis Derwin & T Murray & Sons Ltd Maiden Race for Five Year Olds and upwards Mares now reads:
First: Godblessyourosie
Second: Tina Turnaround
The case was presented by Ms Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity.