JOCKEYS who fail a drugs test in future can expect a minimum four-year ban.

That was the message from the Turf Club’s Referrals Committee on Thursday night after hearing the cases of three jump jockeys who tested positive for metabolites of cocaine. All three were tested at the same Galway raceday in October.

Each jockey was given a two-year ban but, due to each rider’s unique personal circumstances, they were each given an opportunity to return to racing after a number of months if the racing authorities are satisfied with their behaviour.

The three jockeys are Ger Fox, Danny Benson and Roger Quinlan. Fox won the 2016 Irish Grand National on Rogue Angel. Benson and Quinlan are amateur riders who have enjoyed plenty of success on the track.

In a statement issued after the hearings in Dublin’s Croke Park Hotel, the Referrals Committee said: “We can't have another night like tonight where three jockeys tested on the same day were positive. This is unacceptable for racing.

“To date we have tried to impose punishment with an encouragement to undertake rehab. This has worked in individual cases but it is clear that the deterrent effect of the penalties imposed to date is not enough.

“We are asking Denis Egan, in his capacity as chief executive of the Turf Club, to write to all the representative bodies to say that in future the starting point for penalties will be four years plus whatever follows. There will be no coming back in six months except in very exceptional circumstances. What is currently happening cannot continue.

“There is help available for any rider who needs it and they can contact the Senior Turf Club Medical Officer, Dr. Adrian McGoldrick, in the strictest of confidence if they need help and we would encourage them to do so.”

MORE ON THIS STORY IN THE IRISH FIELD ON SATURDAY