Weak stewarding and worrying naivety: appraising the Viking Hoard report

The IHRB report following the Tramore Racecourse on Facebook Handicap Hurdle on October 18, 2018, was terse in the traditional manner of the Irish Racing Calendar.

It noted simply that "KJ Brouder, rider of Viking Hoard, trained by C Byrnes, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount never travelled", and that the IHRB Veterinary Officer reported "the animal to be post race normal" on examination. "Samples were taken for analysis," it added.

Around 50 words in all, for an incident that inspired a 14-page report from the IHRB's referrals committee more than two years later.