BHA and IHRB insist claims of steroid positives not supported by lab tests

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) and the BHA have rejected claims that a number of horses sourced in Ireland to join a British trainer showed evidence of performance-enhancing steroids, insisting the allegations were not supported by their internationally-accredited laboratory.

According to an article by journalist Paul Kimmage in the Sunday Independent, an unnamed trainer commissioned a £10,000 toxicology study on six horses acquired from Ireland last summer.

Three of the horses assessed by "a distinguished toxicologist" allegedly showed evidence of "a number of currently unidentified possible keto steroids".

Jim Bolger, who has claimed that Irish racing is not operating on a level playing field, was said to have been contacted by the British trainer after comments he made last October when insisting that drug cheats are the number one problem in the sport.

However, the BHA – responding to questions from the Racing Post on Monday – revealed that they had investigated the concerns raised in Sunday's article but found that the claims were not backed up when analysed at LGC Laboratories in Newmarket.

IHRB: 'The serious claims made were not supported by the scientific analysis'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

A BHA spokesperson said: "We welcome approaches from anyone with concerns or information about potential wrongdoing. On occasions we receive such approaches they are always properly assessed, prior to any follow up action being taken. This has, in the past, led to us carrying out analysis of samples taken from horses from other nations.

"While we would not comment on the specifics of any such approaches, we can confirm that the concerns referenced at the weekend were raised with the BHA and were looked into, however the analysis of samples carried out via the internationally accredited and world-leading laboratory used in British racing did not support the claims provided to the BHA."

The IHRB has previously stressed that LGC is one of just five International Federation of Horseracing Authorities-certified laboratories in the world.

A spokesperson for the Irish regulator added: "The IHRB do not comment on any individual cases or any information provided or investigation, however we can confirm that the concerns referenced at the weekend in the Sunday Independent article had been raised with us by the BHA and were investigated.

"The IHRB liaised with the BHA on this matter and both parties are satisfied with the analysis of samples carried out via an internationally accredited and world-leading laboratory and that the serious claims made were not supported by the scientific analysis."

Jim Bolger: has spoken of his concerns surrounding anti-doping procedures in Irish racingCredit: Patrick McCann

According to the 14-page toxicology study referenced in the Sunday Independent, one horse produced "a suspicious finding for an elevated level of testosterone", another a "suspicious finding [for] androstenedione" and the third showed evidence for the "presence of an unidentified keto steroid".

In all three cases, the report – carried out by a Suffolk laboratory – suggested that "on the balance of probability this is likely to reflect exogenous administration", with the author noting "I have not encountered these putative steroids in previous hair analyses that I have undertaken".

The IHRB on Sunday rejected the suggestion it did not act when contacted by anonymous whistleblowers, following claims in the article that it failed to take action after being provided with information relating to doping.

Chief executive Denis Egan announced last week that he will take early retirement from his position, insisting his decision has nothing to do with the ongoing allegations of doping in Irish racing.

Read more:

Pre-race drug testing in Ireland imminent, according to regulator

Jim Bolger tells committee he will not attend key hearing on doping allegations

Jessica Harrington addresses Jim Bolger's drug cheats claim in Irish racing

Jim Bolger invited to substantiate drug cheat claims at parliamentary hearing

Ger Lyons backs Bolger over anti-doping comments and calls for action

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