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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 Mr Eamonn Gallagher (Handler) was in breach of any rules of racing as a result of a report received from LGC Laboratories, Newmarket, England.
The report received on 26 February 2026, confirmed that the blood sample taken from Thermal Overload following his win in the Coolmore Stud National Hunt Division 6yo & Upwards Geldings Maiden on 8 February 2026 was confirmed by LGC Laboratories to contain phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone.
At the hearing, evidence was heard from Mr Gallagher, Mr Ray Bergin, IHRB Point to Point Operations Manager, Dr Lynn Hillyer, IHRB Chief Veterinary Officer and Mr John Fitzgerald, Restricted Trainers Association.
In his evidence, Mr Bergin described the administrative differences between registering a horse to run on the racecourse compared to Point to Points and outlined how under the INHS Regulations for Point to Point Steeplechases, Handlers must have direct supervision over horses in their care and control. Mr Bergin further outlined how a Hunters Certificate is relied upon to register a horse to run in Point to Points and noted that as part of this process, the Handler signs a declaration on the Hunters Certificate which certifies that the horse in their care and control has been schooled satisfactorily over fences and explained the importance these processes play in the integrity of the sport. Mr Bergin concluded by stating that Mr Gallagher had confirmed in an interview during the investigation that Thermal Overload was not in his care and control when he signed the Hunters Certificate or at any time in the lead up to the race in Tallow and Mr Gallagher’s first time to see the horse was on the day of the Point to Point meeting.
In his evidence, Mr Gallagher accepted he was in breach of the Rules and explained how he signed the Hunters Certificate on the understanding that Thermal Overload would be coming into his care and control when a stable in his yard became available. Mr Gallagher stated that he runs a small operation and he was busy preparing for the Dublin Racing Festival at the time and this whole incident was due to error on his part and there was no intent involved.
In his evidence, Mr Fitzgerald stated that there was no intent involved in this incident and it would not occur in a bigger yard where more resources would be available.
Dr Hillyer explained in her evidence, how the concentration of phenylbutazone with its metabolite oxyphenbutazone was extremely high. Dr Hillyer stated that in her opinion it is likely that the phenylbutazone was given within six hours of the race.
Having considered the evidence the Referrals Committee were satisfied that Mr Gallagher was in breach of Rule 96(i) in that there was a prohibited substance in the Horse on Raceday and disqualified Thermal Overload from the race, ordered the placings to be altered accordingly and the stake be forfeited. Furthermore, the Referrals Committee imposed a fine of €1,000 in respect of the breach of Rule 96(i), Regulation 23(a)(ii), (iii) and Rule 148(i). The Referral Committee imposed a fine of €1,500 for the breach of Rule 272 (i), in that Mr Gallagher had acted in a manner that was prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of horseracing.
The amended result of the Coolmore Stud National Hunt Division 6yo & Upwards Geldings Maiden now reads:
First: Padraigs Boy
Second: King Peak
Third: Brownies Hill
Fourth: The Gallan
The case was presented by Ms Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity.