Philip Rothwell and Aengus King winners disqualified after testing positive for prohibited substances

Philip Rothwell's November Fairyhouse winner Duffys Getaway has been disqualified after testing positive for the banned substance triamcinolone acetonide (TCA), and the trainer fined a total of €1,750 that included a sanction for failing to maintain an up-to-date veterinary medicines register.

Duffys Getaway, who is owned by JP McManus, won a handicap hurdle by a wide margin on November 7 and followed up in even more emphatic style at Punchestown a month later. However, he has now been stripped of the first of those after an Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board referrals panel convened last week to hear the case into the positive test.

Rothwell told the panel that Duffys Getaway had been treated by his own local vet and Fethard Equine Hospital for an issue with his sacroiliac joint. Both practices administered TCA, a commonly used corticosteroid anti-inflammatory medication, and the trainer stated he had followed the advice of a 42-day withdrawal period. The panel advised that, in the circumstances, he should have considered an elective test. 

Aengus King has also had his winner at Cork in April of last year, Miss Cunning, disqualified after she tested positive for harpagoside, the main active constituent of harpagophytum procumbens, better known as Devil’s Claw, an unlicensed herbal remedy that is recognised for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. 

King told the panel that it had been given to Miss Cunning in error when two feeds were mixed up. He was fined a total of €3,500, including fines for failing to main a medicines register and failing to display the staff bonus agreement. 

Denis Hogan's successful appeal against the decision of the Down Royal stewards not to promote Benjis Benefit to first after he had been hampered by Tell Us This has also been confirmed, while Paul Townend's appeal against his four-day careless riding ban on State Man in winning the Boodles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown was dismissed. 

Corinthian riders confirmed for Irish Injured Jockeys fundraiser

Fourteen amateur jockeys have been announced for the Corinthian Challenge Charity Race which concludes the Curragh card on July 21.

The challenge previously involved multiple races across the summer and autumn but this year it will consist of one race at the Curragh. Each rider is tasked to raise €3,000 for Irish Injured Jockeys.

Actor Brian Mulvey, who appeared in the film Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, is among the 14 hopefuls, as is Joanne Quirke, wife of top professional Flat jockey Gary Carroll.

Also set to compete are Jenny Fitzsimons, Diane Scannell, Suzy Quirke, Bridget Speirs, Heather MacKenzie, Ryan Sands, Megan O’Leary, Alanna O’Donoghue, Stephanie Carter, Conor O’Hara, Paddy Woods, and Niamh Byrne.

Michael Higgins, the general manager of Irish Injured Jockeys, said: “Building up on the past success of the Corinthian Challenge, we aimed to enhance its appeal for participants, spectators, and the media to engage with this year. 

"We extend our gratitude to this year’s challengers for their significant commitment to participating and fundraising for IIJ."

To learn more about each rider and contribute, visit https://corinthianchallenge.com/.

Aidan McGarry set to take over as general manager at Naas

Naas has announced Aidan McGarry as its new general manager from June 20.

McGarry will depart his role as manager at Navan where he spent three years. He previously held roles with Horse Racing Ireland and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing including the position of owner relations manager.

He assumes the role from Eamonn McEvoy, who is set to move to Tattersalls Ireland after being at the helm of Naas for nearly five years.

Naas chairman Dermot Cantillon said: “On behalf of the board of directors and the staff of Naas racecourse we're delighted to welcome Aidan as our new manager. His experiences and education make him an ideal candidate. Connection with the local community is very important for the racecourse and to have a Naas native leading our team is an added bonus.“

McGarry said: “I'm delighted to join Naas racecourse in the coming weeks. It is an exciting time to be part of a racecourse that has seen so much progress and development in recent years. I'm looking forward to starting next month, working with such a well-regarded and progressive team and board”.

New Coronation Cup sponsor

British brand Holland Cooper will sponsor Friday's Coronation Cup at Epsom.

The Group 1 contest, which could feature last year's winner Emily Upjohn and Luxembourg, takes place on the first day of the Betfred Derby festival.

Holland Cooper has sponsored the leading trainer and jockey awards at the Cheltenham Festival, but the announcement marks a first sponsorship of Flat racing and of a Group or Graded race.

Tom Sammes, general manager of Epsom Downs Racecourse, said: “We're thrilled to welcome Holland Cooper on board as the sponsor of this year’s Coronation Cup at the Betfred Derby Festival. 

“Ladies Day celebrates the very best of British fashion and style, making this a very appropriate race sponsorship, as Holland Cooper make their first move into Flat racing support."

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