Denis Hogan's Cork winner Turbine tests positive for anabolic steroid

Denis Hogan has become the first Irish trainer to have a horse test positive for anabolic steroids after a blood sample taken from Turbine following his win at Cork in May was found to contain nandrolone.

Three blood samples taken from Turbine all returned positive for nandrolone, as did hair samples, and the six-year-old was disqualified from the Matchbook Straight Seven Handicap at Cork and banned from running until March 31 next year. Hogan was ordered to pay a contribution of €1,000 towards the costs of the investigation.

A lifetime ban was not imposed on the horse as the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board referrals committee deemed the prohibited substance was administered in error by the trainer's vet during wind surgery.

At the hearing in IHRB headquarters on the Curragh on Monday, evidence was heard from Dr Lynn Hillyer, the chief veterinary officer and head of anti-doping, as well as Hogan and his vet, Donncha
Houlihan.

Hillyer explained that during the 'without notice' inspection at Hogan's stable on May 30 no explanation was offered for the findings, but she was contacted the day following the inspection by Houlihan, who offered a possible reason for the presence of nandrolone.

Houlihan explained that the gelding had been in his practice for wind surgery on January 24 and may have been administered Laurabolin, a product containing nandrolone, by mistake.

Following discussion, and further work conducted in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, practice records and the results of the hair sample analysis taken from Turbine on May 30 were assessed.

The practice records documented that Turbine was hospitalised at the same time as a horse being treated with nandrolone. The hair results provided evidence that Turbine had been exposed to nandrolone in a time window consistent with his hospitalisation in January 2019.

The referrals committee, which consisted of Tony Hunt, Philip Caffrey and Philip McLernon, were satisfied that there had been a breach of Rule 96(c) but were of the view that it was not due to the actions of Hogan or the owner of Turbine.

Turbine (second left): blood sample found to contain nandroloneCredit: Caroline Norris

Henry de Bromhead was fined €2,000 on Monday after a sample from Game Present following his victory in the Pat O’Hare Bookmakers Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick in June was found to contain triamcinolone acetonide (TCA), which is a prohibited substance.

Hillyer summarised the investigation into the adverse analytical finding and confirmed that TCA is a corticosteroid anti-inflammatory medication commonly used in equine practice.

She stated that De Bromhead's medication records had an entry of administration of 50mg of Adcortyl, a product containing TCA, on May 30 subcutaneously to both shins. A withdrawal time of 25 days was advised by De Bromhead's vet.

Hillyer made it clear that it is vital to leave sufficient time between treatment and a race to protect the welfare of the horse and ensure a level playing field.

De Bromhead stated he had made an error in entering the horse prior to the advised 25-day withdrawal time advised by his vet.

Did you know you can bet via the Racing Post mobile app/website? Simply sign in with your favourite bookmaker via the Accounts button and then bet direct from our racecards