Share to
The Referrals Committee, Mr Peter Allen (Chair), Mr Michael Sheehan and Mr Nick Wachman convened in the offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Thursday, 22 January 2026 to consider whether Mr Desmond McDonogh (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 28 October 2024, confirmed that the urine sample taken from In For The Night following the Thomastown Handicap Hurdle at Gowran Park on 4 October 2024 was confirmed by LGC Laboratories to contain dexamethasone.
The option of ‘B” sample analysis was requested by Mr McDonogh and the presence of dexamethasone was confirmed by LCH Laboratories, France on 3 December 2024.
Evidence was heard from Mr McDonogh, Dr Lynn Hillyer, IHRB Chief Veterinary Officer and Dr Lesley Ferguson, IHRB Deputy Head of Veterinary Policy. An independent report was also received from Professor Stuart Paine, Professor of Veterinary Pharmacology.
In his evidence, Mr McDonogh accepted responsibility for the finding, explaining how he followed veterinary advice that there would be a four day withdrawal period from dexamethasone. Mr McDonogh accepted that he did not check the front of the Medicines Register which states that there is a 120 hour detection time. Mr McDonogh explained that In For The Night was on medication to help with his lungs. Mr McDonogh stated that he remains unable to explain how the levels of dexamethasone were so high as he has only ever administered the medication via nebulisation and there were no adverse analytical findings arising from In For The Night’s subsequent win.
In her evidence, Dr Ferguson provided details of the IHRB investigation which included the details and findings of an unannounced inspection of Mr McDonogh’s premises on 28 November 2024. She outlined how the horse was being treated via nebuliser over a prolonged period, however the level of dexamethasone present in the sample is not satisfactorily explained by nebulisation.
In her evidence, Dr Hillyer advised that when a result is four times the screening limit, the medication is having an effect on a horse and that the finding did not appear consistent with the nebulised treatment regimen described.
Having considered the evidence the Referrals Committee were satisfied that Mr McDonogh was in breach of Rule 96(i) in that there was a prohibited substance in the Horse on Raceday, and they disqualified In For The Night 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 McDonogh in respect of the breach of Rule 96(i). Furthermore, the Referrals Committee found Mr McDonogh 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 and waived the fine in regard to this breach.
The amended result of the Thomastown Handicap Hurdle now reads:
First: Penny Jar
Second: Ah Remy Martin
Third: Dame Rapide
Fourth: Roxhill Roise
Fifth: Colleen Danu
Sixth: Hardy Diamond
The case was presented by Ms Louise Troy BL, instructed by Ms Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity.