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The Referrals Committee, Mr Peter M Allen (Chairman), Mr Raymond McSharry and Dr Paddy Molony convened in the offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Tuesday, 16 September 2025 to consider whether Mrs Cathy O’Leary (Trainer) was in breach of the rules of racing as a result of a report received from LGC Laboratories, Fordham, UK.
The report received on 30 October 2024, confirmed that the urine sample taken from Nibiru following the Injuredjockeys.com Apprentice Claiming Race at Dundalk on 18 October 2024 was confirmed by LGC Laboratories to contain beta/dexamethasone.
The option of ‘B’ sample analysis was requested by Mrs O’Leary and the presence of dexamethasone was confirmed by LCH Laboratories, France, on 12 December 2024.
Evidence was heard from Dr Graham Adams, IHRB Deputy Head of Veterinary Operations, Mrs O’Leary and Mr Donncha Houlihan, Veterinary Surgeon.
In his evidence, Dr Adams gave details of the IHRB investigation. He outlined that dexamethasone is a corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties used to treat a variety of conditions in horses, including lameness and respiratory disease. Dr Adams explained that when administered by intravenous injection it is clear liquid at a single dose of 15ml for a 500kg horse, and that the published detection time is five days (the European Horserace Scientific Liaison Committee). Dr Adams explained that the investigation revealed that Nibiru was treated with the anti-inflammatory (dexamethasone) two days prior to the race. Dr Adams explained that the detection of dexamethasone in a sample would confirm that the medication is still having an effect on a horse. Dr Adams also added that following a stable inspection on 4 November 2024, the IHRB veterinary team noted that as well as evidence of a lay person giving intravenous injections to multiple horses over multiple months, that there was a failure to keep the Medicines Register up to date as some medications were not recorded at the time, as required under the Rules.
In her evidence, Mrs O’Leary outlined how she sought advice from her Veterinary Surgeon, Mr Houlihan, to help Nibiru get through the race as he appeared to be off form. Mrs O’Leary stated that she was working off the advice of Mr Houlihan who advised a two day withdrawal period for dexamethasone. Mrs O’Leary accepted that it was unacceptable for the Medicines Register to be out of date and a deficiency in record keeping is a serious issue.
In his evidence, Mr Houlihan confirmed that he examined Nibiru on multiple occasions over the previous three years. Two days prior to the race he found the horse to be sore on his right hind and sore when flexing the fetlock. Mr Houlihan stated that he administered dexamethasone intravenously and advised the Trainer that 48 hours was sufficient withdrawal time due to the low levels he administered. On cross examination Dr Houlihan accepted that he gave the medication and his advice on the timeframe was outside of the recommended period as published.
Having considered the evidence the Referrals Committee were satisfied that Mrs O’Leary was in breach of Rule 96(i) in that there was a prohibited substance in the Horse on Raceday, and they disqualified Nibiru from the race, ordered the placings be altered accordingly and the stake forfeited. The Referrals Committee imposed a fine of €1,000 on Mrs O’Leary in respect of the breach of Rule 96(i). Furthermore, the Referrals Committee found Mrs O’Leary in breach of Rule 148(i), in that the Trainer is responsible for everything connected with the welfare, training and running of all Horses under their care. The Referrals Committee imposed a fine of €1,000 in respect of the breach of Rule 148(i). Mrs O’Leary was found in breach of Rule 148(iii), in that the Trainer is responsible for ensuring that all members of staff and any other person with access to medicines is fully conversant with the Rules and Regulations relating to Prohibited Substances, and a fine of €300 was imposed in respect of this breach. The Referrals Committee also found Mrs O’Leary in breach of Rule 148(iv), in that the Medicines Register was incomplete and for this breach imposed a fine of €500.
The amended result of the Injuredjockeys.com Apprentice Claiming Race now reads:
First: Acotango
Second: Timourid
Third: Firstman (FR)
Fourth: Autocrat
Fifth: A Daughtersdelight
Sixth: El Santarem
The case was presented by Ms Louise Troy BL instructed by Ms Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity. Mrs O’Leary was represented by Mr Patrick Kennedy, Patrick J O’Meara & Co Solicitors.