FORMER trainer Jim Gorman has claimed in court that he was offered a bribe by Luke Comer to “take the rap” for the positive drug tests returned by Comer-owned horses in late 2021, which ultimately led to Comer losing his trainer’s licence for three years.

Gorman, who managed Comer’s training operation at Kilternan, Co Dublin for six years, made the claim in a complex case in which he is seeking an order against Comer to expand on a claim Comer allegedly made to the effect that Gorman had accepted a substantial amount of money from Coolmore Stud to administer drugs to Comer’s horses.

In his court statement Gorman claims that lawyers for Coolmore Stud wrote a letter rejecting in the strongest possible terms allegations that they made cash payments to Gorman or had any involvement in a “supposed plot” to administer prohibited substances to Comer’s horses.

If Comer or his solicitors identify the person who allegedly made that claim, Gorman is seeking to sue that individual for what he says is a serious defamation by false claims that he received money and administered banned substances.

This week’s court action only involved the Gorman side making its application. Mr Justice Brian Cregan said the case should return the week after next.

Comer began a three-year suspension in August 2024 following a long-running case with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.

A property developer, Comer is one of Ireland’s wealthiest businessmen and his Comer Group International sponsors a number of big races at the Curragh.

He originally received his three-year suspension in 2023 following an IHRB visit to the yard, which found traces of anabolic steroids in nine of his horses.

Comer, who only spends three months of the year in Ireland, vigorously protested his innocence during a nine-day hearing, but lost the case and was hit with legal costs and fines exceeding €800,000.

An appeal was heard in May 2024 and, while Comer was partially successful in some areas of that case, the three-year suspension was upheld and he was ordered to pay 75% of the IHRB’s appeal legal fees.