Leah's Dream has been disqualified from a bumper win at the Listowel Festival on September 16 after caffeine, a prohibited substance, was found in her sample.
Here's Jenny, trained by Noel Glynn and ridden by Derek O'Connor, is now declared the winner of the Listowel race.
Detailed below is the full report of the case which was heard today.
The Referrals Committee, John Powell (in the Chair), P.J.A O’Connor and Mrs. J.O. Onions met at the Turf Club, The Curragh, Co. Kildare on Thursday, 27th October 2011, to consider a report from BHP Laboratories in Limerick stating that the biological fluid sample taken from “Leah’s Dream”, trained by Patrick Joseph Hayes, following its win in the John Fletcher Memorial 5-y-o I.N.H. Flat Race at Listowel on 16th September 2011, was found to contain Caffeine which, under Rule 20(v) and Regulation R14, is a prohibited substance. The trainer accepted the results of the “A” sample and the “B” sample was not tested.
Evidence was heard from Dr. Thomas Barragry and from Patrick Joseph Hayes. In his evidence Dr. Thomas Barragry stated that caffeine is a stimulant which affects the central nervous system and the respiratory system. It is prohibited at all levels. He said it is not a specific veterinary drug and could be included in mixtures or tonics given to horses. He also said it could arise from feed, although in these circumstances you would generally expect a metabolite to be present.
In his evidence, Patrick Joseph Hayes said he had no idea how there was caffeine in the horse’s system. The horse was not on any treatment and his Veterinary Surgeon Derek Long confirmed this in writing to the Committee. He said he was awaiting the result of tests from his feed supplier on the feed that had been given to the horse but that they had assured him that all feed is tested for contaminants prior to being supplied to customers.
Having considered the evidence, the Committee fined Patrick Joseph Hayes €1,000 and ordered that he pay costs of €300.
The Committee also disqualified “Leah’s Dream” from first place and ordered the records be amended to read as follows:
First: Here’s Jenny
Second: Misty Weather
Third: The Adare Woman
Fourth: Ballybeg Gent 0AThe case was presented to the Committee by Conal Boyce, Wilkinson & Price Solicitors, Naas, Co. Kildare.
