THE 2017 harness racing season opens at Portmarnock this Sunday, April 30th and Ashbourne vet Peadar Ó Scanaill is excited to be involved in the latest development in the ambitious work of the IHRA.

The Veterinary and Welfare Commission is a newly founded independent offshoot from the IHRA. The commission operates an Integrity Panel.

Peadar Ó Scanaill commands an awful lot of respect amongst the trotting faithful. His late father Tadhg called on the harness racing yards of Co Dublin since the late 1960s. Whether you had a Western Hanover or a Supreme Leader, the professionalism and standard of care was the same.

This new panel’s precepts include:

  • a) That no-one who is an owner, trainer or driver can be on the panel
  • b) That a number of independent co-optees from other equestrian pursuits should outnumber ‘harness racing’ interests
  • c) The panel chairman will always be an Irish accredited vet.

    • Ó Scanaill himself is the founding chairman of the panel.

    The ‘independents’ include Val Good from the world of carriage driving, Julie-Anne Skelly from showing circles, and Marcus Swail who is also a vet. The harness racing community have put forward James Levis, James O’Sullivan and Peter Clarke.

    Obviously, the detection of performance enhancing substances is high on the integrity panel’s agenda. Incidentally, over 30 tests last season did not yield a single positive.

    However, Ó Scanaill is a realist and he believes the 2016 testing programme can be tightened significantly.

    Cobalt and milk shakes* are the two most commonly detected illegal boosters in other jurisdictions so by extension, are probably the most commonly administered by less scrupulous handlers.

    Recently acquired funding has enabled the IHRA to set up this anti-doping body. The aim is to distance their own officers from selection for testing and involvement in the actual tests.

    Peadar explains that the Integrity Panel have already purchased two new “grey boxes” (formerly known as black boxes) which can detect excessive TCO2 levels. Work will begin soon on proper loose boxes for testing in the paddock area at Portmarnock and an office for officials.

    “Previously our budget only allowed us to test winners,” states Ó Scanaill. “The new funding will allow us to test unplaced horses and even late withdrawals. Through time we intend to test outside of race days and the panel will have the power to make unannounced visits at IHRA licensed yards.”

    The newly appointed chairman goes on to say that his body will be closely guided by France.

    Officials from Le Trot initially suggested improvements in the Irish policing of the sport. Interestingly, on an Irish level, he reports good sharing of information back and forth with The Turf Club.

    In summary Peadar said: “This is a massive step for harness racing in Ireland. We will widen the application of the rules by involving this carefully chosen panel from other equestrian pursuits.

    “We will start with a drug testing programme but it is part of our remit to implement new rules where we see fit. Obviously, we must give notice of such rules.”

    There’s an old saying “if you want a job done ask a busy man” and Peadar Ó Scanaill certainly fits that bill.

    To the best of my knowledge he is the only man around who has conducted a three minute interview on the subject of harness racing “as Gaeilge” for Welsh television!

    Maith thú – is well deserved.

    Milk shake is a cocktail involving bicarbonate of soda and thought to help a horse’s staying power.