JIM Gorman is confident that the Turf Club inspectors will notice a major improvement in stable management when they revisit Luke Comer’s new training facility in Kilternan, Co Dublin at the end of this month.

Comer has not had any runners since March following a series of inspections and Turf Club hearings.

In April the owner-trainer was fined €10,000 for failing to allow Turf Club inspectors into his yard.

This followed a previous hearing in March when Comer escaped penalties following two stable inspections in January which uncovered a number of operational problems which Comer agreed to remedy.

The matter again came before the Referrals Committee this week, when it was heard that further serious rule breaches were discovered at the Comer yard during inspections on three dates in May and June.

It was alleged that Comer’s authorised representatives provided “misleading and false information” to inspectors regarding the location of three horses.

Now Comer is in real danger of having his licence withdrawn if he cannot satisfy the Turf Club before the end of this month that his training operation can be put “on a proper footing”.

A very successful property developer, Comer is absent from the yard for long periods. At the April hearing Comer was instructed to put in place a management structure to run the yard in his absence but, say the Turf Club, he has not addressed this matter adequately.

The Referrals Committee noted that Comer has recently employed Jim Gorman as a trainer and “felt that it was appropriate to give Mr Gorman an opportunity to address matters operationally.”

One of the most popular faces in Irish racing, Gorman has trained on the Curragh for many years. His best season was in 1998 when he won the Ulster Derby with Dragon Triumph and the Birdcatcher Nursery with Cobourg Lodge. He had an average of 10 winners per season up to five years ago and has run three horses in his own name this year so far.

PROGRESS

Yesterday, Gorman told The Irish Field that progress had already been made. “Yes, there is a job of work to be done but we have until the end of the month and it won’t even take that long.

“Mr Comer has spent a lot of money on the gallops here and the facilities are very up to-date. He is 100% committed to ironing out any problems and progress is being made very quickly.”

The Turf Club can continue to inspect Comer’s training establishment at any time on a ‘without notice’ basis and, should any issues arise, a further hearing could be convened within seven days.

The Referrals Committee this week imposed fines of €2,260 on Comer for other offences involving back protectors, and registers of medicines and staff.

A decision on an appropriate penalty for the more serious rule breaches has been adjourned until early November.

Luke and Brian Comer sponsor the Irish St Leger through their property company and the race’s purse has been increased to €500,000 this year.