No doubt about it, the stewards of the sport are always diligent when it comes to keeping the equine athletes ‘clean as a whistle.’ The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) recently confirmed that there have been no instances of out-of-competition drug testing on British-trained entries for races happening on Irish soil. It’s a year since both sides of the Irish Sea decided to team up for an equine anti-doping crusade that allowed either side’s gavel holders to carry out tests on the big-race hopefuls, no matter where they hailed from.
Now, if you’re scratching your head wondering what’s happened since that initiative was rolled out, you’re not alone. The IHRB tells us that British Horseracing Authority (BHA) chaps have been spotted trotting around Irish grounds, donning their regulation caps under the IHRB’s watchful eye. However, reciprocal testing just hasn’t crossed over the English Channel the other way round.
Why, you ask? Well, an IHRB spokesman says it all comes down to capacity constraints. High-profile investigations and a focus on our equine friends’ welfare have taken precedence. And with a significant report on reducing equine injuries in Irish racing published in November, the limelight’s been shifted just a bit.
Now don’t let the grass grow under your feet. The BHA keeps a vigilant watch on its own, particularly before the likes of the much-anticipated Cheltenham Festival. Last season saw almost 250 samples taken from over 120 eager Irish champions across 14 training establishments. And just like the clean shavings in a well-kept stable, all results came back negative.
This wasn’t the first time the BHA’s wranglers were tasked with the reins. Having begun in 2014, their testing ride was launched amidst the dark clouds of controversy, mainly the anabolic steroid scandal surrounding trainer Philip Fenton, who ended up leaving his silks hanging for three whole years.
Though British testers have yet to uncover a positive hit, their presence—once seen as an implicit jab at Irish regulatory standards—has naturally melded into the landscape, as they ensure all international runners at major British festivals pass the test.
Whilst Irish officials have their eye on the option to send their own to British grounds, they have yet to saddle up and venture forth. The option’s ‘100 percent there,’ according to IHRB mouths, but it hasn’t been realized. The numbers of cross-channel horses galloping to Irish turf are a mere handful in contrast to the Irish brigade heading toward British competitions.
Last September, the Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown and the Curragh saw 37 British-trained steeds in action, along with a couple from Germany and one nipping in from France. Even the Group One Flying Five saw nine runners crossing the water to participate.
The BHA’s stance is clear when it comes to pre-Cheltenham checks: they’re hunting not for race-day stuff but rather the substances lurking around that are strictly outlawed anytime.
Meanwhile, don’t forget the French chaser, Il Est Francais. Amid whispers in the stables, this star’s been pulled from the Gold Cup, potentially lining up for the Ryanair at Cheltenham, if the weather and opposition don’t throw a curly one. His swift pace and nimble ‘hooves’ could see him sharp enough for a Champion Chase, but his trainers will keep a close watch on the skies and the floorboards to make that final call.
