“SOME damage has been done to our reputation, but I think it’s misguided, and the only way we can work this out is through the cooperation of the IHRB.”

So said Michael Grassick, CEO of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association, who was appearing on Tuesday before an Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, along with the association’s chairman, Michael Halford. These hearings were called in the wake of allegations made by Jim Bolger concerning drug cheats in racing. Mr Bolger declined an invitation to appear, citing legal advice.

Grassick told the committee that Bolger was no longer a member of the IRTA, having resigned on March 19th. He also revealed that he had spoken at length with the Coolcullen trainer, but said “he had no names of any trainers involved, or the names of any drugs. He had no additional information that he could give me.”

Holder of a trainers’ licence for 35 years, Grassick was queried about whether he was ever given information about drugs cheats. He replied: “Never in my time as a trainer, or as CEO of the trainers’ association, was I ever approached or given information that there were illegal substances being used on horses in training. Never.”

Grassick added: “To me it’s just rumours and innuendos, and if people keep saying it there’s not much we can do. There’s more testing done in the last couple of months than has ever been done before. I don’t know what we can do to prove what’s going on – or not going on. It’s terrible that rumours like this circulate.”

Michael Halford also defended the good name of Irish racing, and pointed out that those making claims are few in number. Senator Rónán Mullen challenged Halford’s claim, saying that “sometimes it takes bravery to blow a whistle.” The IRTA chairman retorted: “They’ve only blown a whistle; they haven’t stood up.”

Disappointment

Both Halford and Grassick expressed disappointment about the articles published in recent weeks, with the CEO saying that he didn’t know who is talking to Paul Kimmage.

Having run over time when they appeared last week before the Joint Committee, representatives of Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board were back again on Tuesday, appearing after the IRTA.

Michael Grassick had queried the appropriateness of newly-appointed authorised officers conducting inspections of premises without having a veterinary surgeon present. He told the Joint Committee that “In some of the inspections that have taken place, no vet has been present. I think that is wrong.” Senator Lynn Boylan of Sinn Féin suggested that authorised officers should at least have a university qualification.

Qualifications

Dr Lynn Hillyer, the IHRB’s chief veterinary officer, explained the interview, selection and training processes undertaken to recruit the new officials.

She said: “In terms of qualifications, and I need to be really clear here, I think it is very important that we have people in the team from all different walks of life.”

In response to Grassick’s suggestion that a veterinary surgeon be present, Hillyer did not agree. She told the committee members “It should be a properly assessed and qualified person, but that qualification does not necessarily mean tertiary education.”

Questioning took place on the traceability of horses, and the ability of authorities to know where horses are at any given time. Horse Racing Ireland CEO Brian Kavanagh said he was happy with the system regarding horses in training, and informed members that any gaps were being worked on.

On Tuesday, officials from the Department of Agiculture will appear before the Joint Committee.