The IHRB today announced the holding of two Anti-Doping Seminars for riders.

The Seminars will take place on:

Tuesday, 5th March 2019 at 7pm

In the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, Co Kildare

&

Wednesday, 20th March 2019 at 7pm

In the Horse and Jockey Hotel, Horse and Jockey, Co Tipperary

The Seminars will cover:

• The testing process
• What is a banned substance and what a rider needs to declare
• History of testing in Ireland
• The disciplinary hearing / implications of a positive test
• Supports available – medical/addiction/Industry Assistance Programme

Attendance at one of the seminars, is mandatory for Apprentice Riders and Claiming/Conditional Riders.  Qualified Riders and Professional Riders are strongly encouraged to attend.

Commenting on the holding of the seminars, IHRB Chief Executive, Denis Egan, said that “in view of the number of positive test results which are increasing year on year, the IHRB is holding seminars to educate riders as it appears that many of them are not familiar with the rules and the implications of what will happen if they return a positive test. Under the new penalty structure, a positive test may in effect end a rider’s career”.

Denis Egan also said that “testing of riders for banned substances is being introduced at Point-to-Points in the next few weeks and this will mean that many riders who do not regularly ride on the racecourse, are likely to be tested so it is important that Qualified Riders attend one of the seminars.”