TWO winners who tested positive for banned substances have been disqualified, following hearings at Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board headquarters this week.

Trainer Paddy Magee has lost a winner from the opening day of the 2025 flat season at the Curragh, after Goldrush Kid returned a positive sample for dexamethasone. The substance is described as a corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties used to treat a variety of conditions in horses, including lameness and respiratory disease.

The IHRB embarked on an unannounced inspection at Magee’s premises later that same month and found his medicines register was not completed properly. IHRB deputy head of veterinary policy Dr Lesley Ferguson stated that a bottle of dexamethasone, which was present during the inspection, was not prescribed for Goldrush Kid and no veterinary prescriptions for Goldrush Kid were available for this treatment. It was also noted that Magee was riding out without the required body protector.

During the interview, Magee explained that he administered dexamethasone by nebuliser, but stopped four or five days before racing. He was unable to explain why the post-race sample returned a dexamethasone finding. The treatment was intended to help with burst blood vessels.

Magee’s reliance on his staff to assist with the administration work was outlined, as well as the process in place at the time of the inspection for completing the medicines register, and the systems that are in place now.

The referrals committee imposed a fine of €1,500 on Magee in relation to the positive test, a further €1,000 fine for a rule breach in that the trainer is “responsible for everything connected with the welfare, training and running of horses in their care”.

He was given a €500 fine for medicines register matters, and another €500 for failing to ensure only prescribed medicines were used and withdrawn at the correct time prior to racing. He also was fined €250 for failing to wear approved safety equipment when riding out.

The Harry Rogers-trained Narlita, who was beaten a head on the day at the Curragh, is now promoted to first place.

In a separate matter, the IHRB’s adverse analytical findings web listings shows that Magee has a second dexamethasone positive currently under investigation in relation to Glen Breeze, who won at Limerick this July.

Arsenic finding

It was also revealed this week that trainer Brendan Maurice Walsh’s Rochestown has been disqualified for a win at Tramore in April 2025, having tested positive for arsenic.

As part of an unannounced inspection of Walsh’s premises, Dr Ferguson described how arsenic was found to be present in soil samples taken from an old orchard area where Rochestown was turned out. She felt the soil and water was a possible cause for the presence of arsenic in the horse - a factor Walsh stated he was not aware of.

The trainer explained that he no longer leaves racehorses in this field and he has also taken remedial steps by reseeding the ground.

In confirming the disqualification, the referrals committee imposed a fine of €1,000 on Walsh in that he “failed to adequately manage and supervise the environment in which Rochestown was turned out”.

The Davy Fitzgerald-trained General Clermont has now been promoted to first in the Tramore contest.

Separately, there was a €500 fine announced this week for trainer Patrick Verling over a microchip and passport identification issue at Cork in May.