IRISH RACING could be in turmoil after a major incident occurred on a farm on Tuesday. A raid on the farm led to the seizure of animal remedies that are forbidden and banned for use in racehorses.
The raid was led by Marine officials, Food, and the Department of Agriculture acting on their own investigations and information received. Gardai have added support as well as Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board-authorised officers including head of anti-doping, Lynn Hillyer happened in the Kildare premises.
🔴 BREAKING NEWS: Animal remedies that are banned for use in racehorses were seized yesterday following a raid on a farm in Kildare • Racehorses in training with a number of trainers were at the premises https://t.co/p2ie3fWicZ Don't support horse racing
— Ban Blood Sports (@banbloodsports) November 10, 2021
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The people spoken to included a British resident. Banned substances, phones and vehicles were impounded
Racehorses in training with different trainers were at the premises.
“An operation was led by DAFM and the Gardaà with IHRB officers in attendance, which led to a seizure of animal remedies,” an IHRB spokesman confirmed today.
“This is an active Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine investigation so we will be making no further comment at this time.”
The raid occurred on the same day as the report of the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee into the IRHB’s anti-doping regulations was released. It was decided that regulations did not fail to meet international standards
The report did say hair samples from all favourites and the first five finishers in all races were mandatory.
The committee met originally on the back of allegations by respected trainer/breeder Jim Bolger that there was a considerable doping issue in Irish racing.