D.K. Weld (Trainer) Referral - The Curragh, 29th June, 2018

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The Referrals Committee, Mr. Justice Tony Hunt (in the chair), Mr. N.P. Lambert and Mr. N.B. Wachman met at the Offices of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) The Curragh, Co. Kildare on Monday 17th September 2018, to consider reports from LGC Laboratories, Cambridgeshire, UK, that the Sample taken from “Kisanga” following her win in the SportsJoe Irish EBF Maiden at The Curragh on 29th June, 2018, was found to contain testosterone. Under Rule 20(v) of the Rules of Racing, testosterone is a substance prohibited at all times when present in concentrations above the international threshold of 0.055 microgram free and conjugated testosterone per millilitre of urine from fillies and mares (unless in foal). 

Trainer Mr. D.K. Weld requested that the “B” portion of the Sample be tested and the results of the analysis carried out at Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques confirmed the findings in the “A” portion of the Sample.

Evidence was heard from Dr. Lynn Hillyer, IHRB Chief Veterinary Officer/Head of Anti-Doping regarding the investigation into the adverse analytical finding, Mr. Weld and his veterinary surgeon Ms. Claire Hawkes.

In her evidence Dr. Hillyer advised that testosterone in the female horse can originate either from exogenous sources, such as if administered as a drug, or endogenously, for example associated with an ovarian granulosa cell tumour. In this case after joint investigation by the IHRB and Mr. Weld’s veterinary team, it was clear that a granulosa cell tumour was the cause of the post-race result. Dr. Hillyer advised that the filly had now undergone surgery, that an elective test had returned a ‘clear’ result and that Mr. Weld had been very helpful throughout the course of the matter.

In his evidence Mr. Weld accepted Dr. Hillyer’s report and confirmed that he was not disputing the facts as set out in the report. Mr. Weld and Ms. Hawkes commented that in their view there was no performance-enhancing effect associated with the tumour and that the filly had not shown any behaviour that might be associated with high concentrations of testosterone.

Having considered the evidence the Committee were satisfied that Mr. Weld was in breach of Rule 96(a). The Committee therefore disqualified “Kisanga”, ordered that the stake be forfeited and that the race result be amended to read as follows:-

First:               National Security

Second:           National Wealth

Third:              Fridtjof Nansen (GB)

Fourth:            Foreign Secretary (GB)

Fifth:               Far Reach (FR)

In considering the penalty, the Committee determined that Mr. Weld had taken all reasonable precautions to avoid a breach of the rule and accepted that he was not aware that the filly had the condition. The Committee commended Mr. Weld for his co-operative approach to the matter and thanked him for his professionalism.

The case was presented by Cliodhna Guy, Head of Legal & Compliance & Licensing.