Kevin Brouder breaches Covid rules after helping female passenger into Galway

Up-and-coming jockey Kevin Brouder could face significant disciplinary action after breaching Covid-19 regulations at Galway on Monday evening, as he was found to have brought a female passenger to the meeting who had not completed the required pre-race health screening.

The 23-year-old, who enjoyed the biggest success of his career on Thosedaysaregone in the Ladbrokes Hurdle at this year's Dublin Racing Festival, declined to comment when contacted by the Racing Post on Tuesday, with a hearing date to be confirmed over the coming days.

The Galway stewards met to consider a report from IHRB Covid-19 officer Frank Lannon that the Kerry native had wrongfully gained an admission wristband for a female passenger travelling with him.

Lannon stated Brouder had carried out correct screening procedures before gaining admission to the racecourse, but quickly returned to the entrance area after claiming to have lost his wristband and seeking a replacement, which was given to him by the IHRB security officer.

Kevin Brouder: wrongfully gained an admission wristband for a female passenger travelling with himCredit: Patrick McCann

Later at the evening fixture, a passenger was observed in Brouder's car within the enclosures and in possession of a wristband.

The passenger admitted to having gained access to the racecourse enclosures with the rider and confirmed she had not received health screening clearance for the fixture.

Brouder, who had enjoyed a big win when landing Sunday's Mayo National at Ballinrobe on Doctor Duffy, admitted he had wrongfully claimed an admission wristband for his passenger and brought her within the enclosure area.

He accepted without dispute the evidence of Lannon and IHRB security officer Declan Buckley, admitting what he had done and adding that the passenger had intended to remain in the car at all times.

The Listowel rider confirmed that he was in possession of two wristbands, neither of which were mislaid, before the stewards referred the matter to the CEO of the IHRB for further investigation.

Brouder is not the first figure to fall foul of the Covid-19 regulations on Irish racecourses since the restart on June 8, with trainer Emmet Mullins fined €5,000 by the IHRB and banned from entering a racecourse for three months.

The promising trainer had entered Leopardstown on June 14 having already been refused access.

Aidan O'Brien and Donnacha O’Brien were also both fined €2,500 and prohibited from attending race meetings in Ireland for two weeks after failing to enter the Curragh through the health screening area on Irish 2,000 Guineas day.

Kevin Brouder career details

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