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The Referrals Committee, Mr Justice Frank Clarke (Chairman), Mr Anthony Byrne and Mr Nick Wachman convened at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Thursday, 24 September 2026 to consider whether John F. O’Neill (Handler) was in breach of the Rules of Racing as a result of a report received from LGC Laboratories, Newmarket, England.
The report received on 30 May 2025, confirmed that the blood sample taken from Balkito (FR) following his win in the Galway Race Committee Open Lightweight Race on 11 May 2025 at Loughrea was confirmed by LGC Laboratories to contain furosemide.
The B Sample analysis was not requested.
At the hearing, evidence was heard from Mr O’Neill, 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 O’Neill accepted that he was in breach of the Rules but was unable to account for the adverse analytical finding. Mr O’Neill stated that he has a small operation which is family run and he has had no issues of this nature in the 30 years he has been involved with horses. Mr O’Neill explained that the documented administration of furosemide in the Medicines Register, differed from the amount administered and did not note the withdrawal times. This was a result of an unfortunate misunderstanding regarding the completion of the register, which has now been corrected.
Having considered the evidence, the IHRB investigation report and submissions the Referrals Committee were satisfied that Mr O’Neill was in breach of Rule 96(i), in that there was a prohibited substance in the Horse on Raceday and they imposed a fine of €1,000. The panel ordered that Balkito (FR) be disqualified from the race in question, the placings be altered accordingly and the stake forfeited. The Referrals Committee imposed a fine of €500 in respect of the breach of Regulation 23(a)(ii), in that Mr O’Neill failed to adequately manage and supervise the administration of medication and maintenance of medication records within his training establishment. In respect of Rule 148(iii), (iv), (v) and (ix) the Referrals Committee imposed a fine of €250. Furthermore, Mr O’Neill was fined €250 for a breach of Rule 85(i), in that he failed to ensure passports accompanied four horses in his care.
The amended result of the Galway Race Committee Open Lightweight Race now reads:
First: Five Star Getaway
Second: Battle of Benburb
Third: La Feline (FR)
The case was presented on behalf of the IHRB by Ms Hannah Smullen BL instructed by Ms Christine Traynor, Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity.