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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 Ray Hackett (Trainer) 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 March 2025, confirmed that the urine sample taken from Nowwhatdoyouthink following his win in the ThurlesRaces.ie Maiden Hurdle on 6 March 2025 was confirmed by LGC Laboratories to contain cobalt.
The option of ‘B’ sample analysis was requested by Mr Hackett and the presence of cobalt was confirmed by LCH Laboratories, France on 30 April 2025.
At the hearing, evidence was heard from Mr Hackett and Dr Lynn Hillyer, IHRB Chief Veterinary Officer.
In her evidence, Dr Hillyer outlined the IHRB investigation including the findings of an unannounced inspection of Mr Hackett’s premises on 20 March 2025. Dr Hillyer explained that Mr Hackett had indicated that Growvite Sheep was being administered to racehorses in his care and that, if a 20ml dose had been administered to Nowwhatdoyouthink on the day before the race, it was capable of producing a urine sample above the applicable cobalt threshold. Dr Hillyer outlined the importance of obtaining appropriate veterinary advice before administering medicines or other products to racehorses and of maintaining proper control over their use and administration. She also emphasised the importance, from both a veterinary and integrity perspective, of knowing what products are being administered to horses, where they have been sourced and the basis upon which they are being used.
In his evidence, Mr Hackett apologised and stated that there had been no intention to cause such a finding and he would never knowingly administer cobalt or any supplement within three days of a race. Mr Hackett explained how Nowwhatdoyouthink had been off his feed following a wind operation and that he had used Growvite in an effort to maintain the horses condition. Mr Hackett said that he purchased the product over the counter in his local co-op and had not appreciated that its use should be recorded in the Medicines Register. Mr Hackett also described his previous feeding practice, whereby the supplement was mixed with feed and distributed using a number of buckets. He confirmed that his feeding regime has changed and that he no longer uses the supplement and further that he no longer keeps retired racehorses in the yard, measures which he said had been introduced to reduce the risk of inadvertent cross-contamination.
Having considered the evidence the Referrals Committee determined as follows:
“The Panel carefully considered the evidence and the submissions. Each of the charges set out in the letter of charge was accepted by Mr Hackett, and the issue for determination was therefore the appropriate sanction. In assessing penalty, the Panel considered the breaches cumulatively and regarded them as serious, particularly given the combination of an adverse analytical finding, the administration of a cobalt-containing supplement without adequate records of its use, and the deficiencies in the Medicines Register.
The Panel noted that the purpose of the Rules governing medicines, supplements and record-keeping is not merely administrative. They are intended to ensure that Trainers can properly account for substances administered to horses in their care and, where an adverse analytical finding occurs, provide a clear and reliable explanation. The Panel considered that a lack of knowledge as to the regulatory requirements did not materially reduce the seriousness of the breaches and that the absence of appropriate veterinary advice or adequate systems of control was relevant to the overall seriousness of the matter.
Having regard to Mr Hackett’s admissions, his evidence and the mitigation advanced on his behalf, the Panel found him in breach of Rule 96(i), disqualified Nowwhatdoyouthink from the race, ordered the placings to be amended accordingly and the stake forfeited, and imposed a fine of €1,000. In respect of Rule 148(i), the Panel imposed a fine of €1,500. A fine of €1,000 was imposed for the breach of Rule 148(iii), and a further fine of €750 was imposed in respect of the breaches of Rules 148(iv), (v) and (ix) concerning the Medicines Register.”
The amended result of the ThurlesRaces.ie Maiden Hurdle now reads:
Amended result:
First: Joueuse Royale (FR)
Second: Cappa Hill
Third: Yoradreamer
Fourth: Mon Coeur
Fifth: Dunkerque (DEN)
Sixth: Thoughtsarethings
The case was presented by Ms Christine Traynor BL, IHRB Head of Racing Regulation and Integrity. Mr Hackett was represented by Mr Patrick Kennedy, Patrick J O’Meara & Company Solicitors.