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The Referrals Committee, Mr Peter Alen (Chairman), Mr Victor Connolly and Mr Finbar Cahill convened in the offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, to consider whether Mr Brendan Walsh was in breach of any rules of racing as a result of a report received from LGC Laboratories, Newmarket, England.
The report received on 24 April 2025, confirmed that the urine sample taken from Rochestown following the QuinnBet.com Handicap Chase at Tramore Racecourse on 13 April 2025 was confirmed by LGC Laboratories to contain arsenic.
The option of “B” sample analysis was requested by Mr Walsh and the presence of arsenic was confirmed by LCH Laboratories, France on 10 June 2025.
Evidence was heard from Mr Walsh and Dr Lesley Ferguson, IHRB Deputy Head of Veterinary Policy
In her evidence, Dr Ferguson provided details of the IHRB investigation which included the details and findings of an unannounced inspection of Mr Walsh’s premises on 28 April 2025. She described how arsenic was found to be present in soil samples taken from an old orchard area where Rochestown was turned out. Dr Ferguson stated that she felt the soil and water was a possible cause for the presence of arsenic in the horse.
In his evidence, Mr Walsh accepted the finding and stated that he was not aware that arsenic was present in the ground which was the site of an old orchard. He explained that he no longer leaves racehorses in that field and he has also taken remedial steps by reseeding the ground.
Having considered the evidence the Referrals Committee were satisfied that Mr Walsh was in breach of Rule 96(i) in that there was a prohibited substance in the Horse on Raceday, and they disqualified Rochestown from the race, ordered the placings to be altered accordingly and the stake be forfeited. The Referrals Committee imposed a fine of €1,000 on Mr Walsh in respect of the breaches of Rule 96(i) and Rule 148(i), in that Mr Walsh failed to adequately manage and supervise the environment in which Rochestown was turned out. Furthermore, the Referrals Committee found Mr Walsh in breach of Rule 148(iv) and in the circumstances of this case they waived the fine in regard to this breach.
The amended result of the QuinnBet.com Handicap Chase now reads:
First: General Clermont (FR)
Second: On Lovers Walk
Third: Digby
Fourth: Lilian Bland
The case was presented by Ms Hannah Smullen BL instructed by Ms Christine Traynor, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity.