Loughran fails in challenge to careless-riding ban

Roger Loughran has lost his appeal against a three-day suspension for careless riding aboard All In The Head in a handicap hurdle at Wexford on April 7.

Following a hearing held at Punchestown on Thursday morning, the appeals body – consisting of Peter Reynolds, Mary Anne Onions and Sean Barry – agreed with the raceday stewards and Loughran will be unable to ride on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as a consequence.

The referrals committee, also consisting of Barry, Onions and Reynolds, was also on duty to consider a report from BHP Laboratories in Limerick that stated the biological fluid sample taken from Nun’s Cross following her debut success in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Flat Race at Clonmel on March 2 was found to contain caffeine, which is a prohibited substance.

Trainer Edward O'Grady requested that the B sample be tested and the sample, which was tested by Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques in Paris on April 17, confirmed the finding of caffeine.

O'Grady said he accepted the positive sample result, stressing that it was possible there may have been cross contamination from the shavings in the horse's stable.

The committee imposed a fine of €1,000 on O’Grady but waived it as it was satisfied the prohibited substance was administered unknowingly and that the trainer had taken all reasonable precautions to avoid a breach of the rule.