A referral hearing into the controversial race involving a pair of Denis Hogan-trained horses at Dundalk more than three years ago is in the pipeline, according to the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.
Its long-running investigation into a claimer run at the all-weather circuit in March 2020 that saw the Hogan-trained Tony The Gent beat his stable companion Yuften has been completed.
Yuften was widely anticipated to start as short-priced favourite for the race but drifted in the betting, starting as a 6-4 shot as the well-backed Tony The Gent went off at 10-11.
Yuften was slowly away in the race and didn’t get a clear run at one point. Afterwards he was found to be lame, following inspection by an IHRB veterinary officer.
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The stewards on the day looked at the running and riding of Yuften and referred the matter for further investigation. It involved the British Horseracing Authority, which monitors betting trends for the IHRB.
The Irish regulator has come under fire for the length of time taken to deal with the matter, but a spokesman said on Friday: “We are in the process of organising the referral for the Dundalk race.”
No IHRB official would comment further or speculate on a likely date for the hearing, although it is understood it could get stretched to later this summer.
Earlier this year, the IHRB’s chief executive Darragh O’Loughlin said he wanted such outstanding issues progressed “as soon as is practicable”.
It comes on the back of Hogan losing his licence for three months after a winner he saddled at Galway last October failed a drugs test.
On Friday, the IHRB published details of that suspension imposed by a referrals committee panel, as well as a €5,000 fine, after the disqualification of Ballyadam Destiny.
The suspension is due to begin at the start of August although Hogan, who is based in Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, has lodged an appeal.
The cheaply bought but high-class sprinters Make A Challenge and Sceptical are among winners Hogan has had through his hands since taking out a licence in 2009.
However, he has had four winners disqualified for failed dope tests in the last five years.
“This is Mr Hogan’s fourth breach of rules relating to prohibited substances and the decision of the referrals committee reflects that,” an IHRB spokesman said.
Such suspensions are rare. David Dunne had his licence removed for four months in 2020 following a failed appeal against the severity of a fine after his runner, Druim Samhraidh, tested positive for an anabolic steroid at Ballinrobe the previous year.
In 2019, the Hogan-trained Turbine was the first horse in Ireland to test positive for an anabolic steroid after winning at Cork. The trainer wasn’t penalised as his vet accepted responsibility for administering the drug by mistake.
Ballyadam Destiny tested positive for Triamcinolone Acetonide (TCA) and Dexamethasone after winning a hurdle race in Galway at 20-1.
The IHRB’s Head of Anti-Doping, Dr Lynn Hillyer, gave evidence at a hearing earlier this week that both substances are commonly used anti-inflammatory medications but prohibited on race-day.
She said Ballyadam Destiny had received veterinary treatment in September of last year which included intramuscular administration of Triam Lichtenstein and Dexafort.
A withdrawal time of 40 days for Triam Lichtenstein was advised by Hogan’s vet but the horse ran at Galway 31 days after the administration.
The trainer accepted the findings and stated that he had mistaken the withdrawal times advised when entering Ballyadam Destiny for his run in Galway due to an administration error.
