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So is Jim Bolger saying the authorities are turning a blind eye?
From the Racing Post today,
–Jim Bolger has said the number one problem in Irish racing is drug cheats, who are stopping the sport from being a level playing field, and has called on the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board to introduce more hair testing with immediate effect.The trainer, who stole the show last Saturday by sending out Mac Swiney to win the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster, has stressed he would be 100 per cent happy for his own horses to be hair tested at anytime.
Bolger said: “I have knowledge of problems and I would like to see the IHRB stepping up to the plate. There needs to be more rigorous testing, but action has to happen after that testing has taken place. I’m inclined to think we have had instances in the past where action wasn’t taken when it should It’s not a level playing field and I would say it’s the number one problem in Irish racing. The IHRB gets a huge budget from HRI and it needs to start spending it properly. It is not up to scratch at the moment anyway, that’s for sure.”
Bolger believes more of that budget should be spent on the use of hair testing. He said: “There is science and technology in hair testing which can detect steroids in samples from hair going back years. It might be expensive, but you just need to carry out these tests on a couple of dozen and it would act as a deterrent.”
There was expected to be a major boost for the integrity of Irish racing in the fight against anti-doping in early August when the IHRB was given the power to investigate unlicensed premises by the government.
Those enhanced powers allow it to investigate any premises for the potential use of animal remedies after Dara Calleary, the minister for agriculture at the time, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between his department and the IHRB.That signature made the IHRB’s veterinary team authorised officers under section 10 of the Animal Remedies Act 1993 as amended, and allowed access to any premises with licensed thoroughbreds, including pre-training yards, studs and pinhookers.
Bolger said: “It’s been three months since the minister signed that order and I’m not sure whether any progress has been made.”
Asked whether he would be happy for his own horses to be tested if hair sampling were introduced in Ireland, Bolger replied: “I would be 100 per cent happy for my horses to be hair tested tomorrow morning.
“Most of the horses I have were reared on our own farms, but the only ones you could have issues with are the horses who were sent to me. I’m pretty sure they are kosher, though.”
The IHRB responded to Bolger’s claims by stating there has never been more anti-doping tests carried out and extra emphasis has been placed on testing away from racedays. The Irish regulator also revealed that on-course hair testing commenced this summer.
The statement issued by the IHRB to the Racing Post read: “The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board is carrying out more equine anti-doping testing than ever and as part of this have put an increased emphasis in out of competition testing.
“In 2019, 4,399 samples (urine, blood and hair) were taken, 778 of these samples were taken out of competition. As a result of these samples 13 post-races positives were returned, some of which involved substances prohibited at all times.
“This summer, the IHRB introduced on-course hair testing and also reached an agreement with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) under which IHRB officials can be trained to become authorised officers which gives the officials additional search and seize powers when carrying out inspections
Whilst it is obvious that for operational reasons we do not disclose specific details of our anti-doping programme, modern anti-doping programmes are based on more than sampling alone. Use of intelligence and surveillance are a big part of this and in addition to the agreement reached with DAFM, we also work closely with our colleagues in the British Horseracing Authority sharing intelligence.”
The IHRB now uses the same LGC laboratory in Newmarket as the BHA does after an expensive 2018 split with its former BHP associate in Limerick. It was a transfer that coincided with a 440 per cent increase in the number of positive tests identified.
It’s surprisingly strong stuff and does hint at Bolger having knowledge of systematic widespread doping.
Can’t help but wonder if this story has legs.
BUY THE SUN
I tend to think that there is a lot of truth behind his story. And surely he is not referring to some small trainers who win 3-4 races a year.
He might be a bit surprised that VERY YOUNG trainers can win a Classic with only their 5th or 6th overall runner, but that’s when you carry a big name. I wouldn’t mind the idea of hair testing, it might be quite interesting to see what happened in the past.
When one of the most respected trainers in Ireland shares concerns of this nature the IHRB should take immediate action to either confirm or quash rumours that this is happening.
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...As someone involved in Irish racing for a long time, my heart sang a little when I read this piece. I really hope that certain individuals get their snouts out of the trough long enough to do something about it. Bolger was only willing to talk about Ireland, but any trainer anywhere should be prepared to accept hair testing. Carrying it out as part of the post-race routine for major races would be a good start.
Bolger is dead right. Certain Irish trainers do better in competitive races than they do in uncompetitive races.
They also often have a poor strike rate in the lead up to big meetings and then exceptional strike rate once the big meeting starts.
If this type of thing happens occasionally then it’s in all probability coincidence. But when it’s happening with the same trainers time after time after time… It’s far harder to believe it’s just coincidence.
Value Is EverythingSurely the big meetings are when you want your horses spot on.
Charles Darwin to conquer the World
Every trainer should be doing their best to get each individual horse to do as well as each individual horse can… And every trainer tries to get their best horses to peak form at the big meeting – not just the two or three Irish trainers.
Can understand it if a particular trainer sometimes manages to suddenly hit top form just as a big meeting starts. But for a trainer to do it season after season is defying logic.
Value Is EverythingWhich trainers are you referring to GT? You aren’t alleging any wrongdoing directly so hopefully you can say?
BUY THE SUN
“Most of the horses I have were reared on our own farms, but the only ones you could have issues with are the horses who were sent to me. I’m pretty sure they are kosher, though.”
The answer Ginger may (allegedly) lay in the finer details of the latest book -the original of which has been suppressed in the Irish courts- being discussed in Louise’s thread.
Here is that link Sam to the Thread where we are discussing William Jones’s new book The Black Horse Is Dying which echoes the fears of Jim Bolger and more on this disturbing subject.
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...Still turning a blind eye: https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/racing/jim-bolger-s-incendiary-statements-should-shake-racing-to-its-foundations-1.4435720
No surprise, unfortunately. Racing journalists also silent.It is behind a paywall Louise ( albeit a £1 one).
The Racing Post printed Jim Bolgers comments and then appear to have mothballed the story. Maybe to ‘protect the integrity of racing’ or preserve its sales. Either way the journalistically inept have fallen largely silent over a story which like cycling and athletics will eventually all come out in a very messy unceremonious bundle.Probably all the racing journalists are afraid to rock the boat. And with the big players involved, the threat of litigation would keep other journalists away.
Apologies sporting sam, I can see the full article, but don’t subscribe, so not sure why it’s blocked for some. O’Connor doesn’t add any facts to the original story, but simply questions the ‘furtive silence’ arising from it. He asks what reaction would be seen if, say, a prominent figure in GAA or rugby made a similar allegation around those sports. He also points out that it’s unheard of for a participant to speak out in this way, so the silence is even more perplexing (including from other trainers). Yes, litigation is a problem. There was an interview with Beyer posted on Betfair, and he said that he misunderstood the drugs problem; that it took the FBI to bust the ring in the US, and the regulator was helpless rather than neglectful – bit depressing really.
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