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The Referrals Committee, Mr Peter Allen (Chair), 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 Patrick Magee was in breach of any rules of racing as a result of a report received from LGC Laboratories, Newmarket, England.
The report received on 31 March 2025, confirmed that the urine sample taken from Goldrush Kid following the Download The Tote App Handicap at The Curragh on 16 March 2025 was confirmed by LGC Laboratories to contain dexamethasone.
The option of “B” sample analysis was requested by Mr Magee and the presence of dexamethasone was confirmed by LCH Laboratories, France on 17 April 2025.
Evidence was heard from Mr Magee 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 Magee’s premises on 27 March 2025. Dr Ferguson stated that the Medicines Register was not completed properly. Dr Ferguson outlined her findings at the yard with respect to the manner in which the medicines were kept. Dr Feguson stated that a bottle of dexamethasone which was present during the inspection was not prescribed for Goldrush Kid and no veterinary prescriptions for Goldrush Kid were available for this treatment. Dr Ferguson also gave evidence of Mr Magee riding out without the required body protector. During interview, Mr Magee explained that he administered dexamethasone by nebuliser but stopped four or five days before racing. He was unable to explain why the post-race sample returned a dexamethasone finding.
At the hearing, Mr Patrick Kennedy, on behalf of Mr Magee accepted he was in breach of the Rules, as charged. Mr Kennedy explained that Goldrush Kid was treated for burst blood vessels and he further outlined Mr Magee’s reliance on his staff to assist with the administration work outlining the process that was in place at the time of the inspection for completing the Medicines Register and the systems that are in place now.
Having considered the evidence and submissions the Referrals Committee were satisfied that Mr Magee was in breach of Rule 96(i) in that there was a prohibited substance in the horse on raceday and they disqualified Goldrush Kid from the race, ordered the placings to be altered accordingly and the stake be forfeited. The Referrals Committee imposed a fine of €1,500 on Mr Magee in respect of the breach of Rule 96(i). Furthermore, the Referrals Committee found Mr Magee in breach of Rule 148(i), in that the Trainer is responsible for everything connected with the welfare, training and running of Horses in their care and imposed a fine of €1,000. The Referrals Committee also found Mr Magee in breach of Rules 148(iii), (iv), (v) and (ix), in that he failed to ensure the proper safe keeping and administration of medicines at his premises and failed to maintain a completed Medicines Register and imposed a fine of €500 in this respect. Mr Magee was fined €500 for a breach of Rule 148(vi) for failing to ensure only prescribed medicines were used and withdrawn at the correct time prior to racing. In respect of Rule 148(xi)(b) Mr Magee was fined €250 for failing to wear approved safety equipment when riding out.
The amended result of Download The Tote App Handicap at The Curragh now reads:
First: Nalita(GER)
Second: Martinelli
Third: Rampage
Fourth: Arthur Rose
Fifth: Gotta Cach’em All
Sixth: Neo Smart
The case was presented by Ms Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity. Mr Magee was represented by Mr Patrick Kennedy, Patrick J O’Meara & Company Solicitors