Trainer Luke Comer has failed in his bid to have a three-year suspension overturned by the Appeals Committee.

Comer's case was originally heard in 2023 following a long-running investigation by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. It all began in October 2021 when the Comer-trained He Knows No Fear tested positive for anabolic steroids following a fourth-placed effort in the 14-runner Listed Trigo Stakes at Leopardstown.

A month later the IHRB visited Comer's yard and took hair samples from a number of horses, which resulted in 11 more positive results for the same prohibited substances.

Comer vigorously contested the findings and the Referrals Committee hearing ran for nine days in May 2023, during which evidence was given - on Comer's behalf - by nine veterinary or pharmacological experts from around the world. The IHRB called on seven such experts.

The Referrals Committee did not believe there was evidence of deliberate doping but, in the absence of any other plausible explanation, had no option but to find Comer responsible for serious rule breaches and ordered that his licence be withdrawn for a period of three years.

Fines totalling €85,000 were imposed and, very significantly, Comer was ordered to pay 80% of the IHRB's legal costs, which amount to €755,000. The trainer is likely to have run up similar costs on his own side.

Comer appealed the penalties and the Appeals Committee heard the case in May. A verdict was published today (June 27th).

READ THE FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE APPEALS COMMITTEE VERDICT HERE