DENIS Hogan has criticised the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board [IHRB] for the way in which the regulator publicly announced this week that it would no longer be prosecuting him over the running and riding of Yuften in a controversial race at Dundalk in March 2020.

The case was due to be heard next week by the Referrals Committee but on Thursday the IHRB issued a statement to say it was effectively dropping its investigation following the “belated production of relevant records and reports by the respondents”.

In its statement, the IHRB described as “deeply frustrating the failure of the respondent to produce this evidence before now – in excess of three years after the events to which the evidence relates.”

On Friday, Hogan told The Irish Field: “It is regrettable that the IHRB has decided to publish a self-serving press release in advance of the Referrals Committee hearing. We shall make our own submissions to the Committee as the appropriate forum shortly. I will not comment publicly until then.”

The case revolves around a claimer run at Dundalk in March 2020, shortly before the Covid pandemic brought racing to a halt. Denis Hogan saddled the first two finishers - Tony The Gent and Yuften. The winner was well-backed beforehand, while the runner-up drifted in price, was slowly away and was found to be lame afterwards.

Aided by betting information provided by the British Horseracing Authority, the IHRB launched an investigation into the race. Covid delayed matters and a number of preliminary hearings were required before the full Referrals Committee hearing could be scheduled for this month.

Then on Thursday afternoon the IHRB released a statement to say it would not be offering any evidence at the hearing.

The statement read: “Following the recent belated production of relevant records and reports by the respondents, which had been sought by the IHRB since the initial stages of the investigation, the IHRB has decided that it does not intend to offer evidence at the hearing before the Referrals Committee.

“It was appropriate on the day of the race that the matter would be referred for investigation and in the course of the investigation certain information was sought from the respondent.

“This evidence was not produced during interviews or at any other stage throughout the three years this investigation remained open, until October of this year when expert veterinary reports which provided context for the performance of the horse in the race in question were finally submitted.

“The IHRB regards as deeply frustrating the failure of the respondent to produce this evidence before now – in excess of three years after the events to which the evidence relates.

“The Referrals Committee has been asked to give a decision in this matter which may then be published as, although it is ultimately a matter for the Referrals Committee, the IHRB is of the view that to enhance transparency and for the purpose of ensuring public confidence in the disciplinary process it would be appropriate in the circumstances to provide some explanation as to why the referral has been dealt with in this way.

“The IHRB remains committed to safeguarding the integrity and reputation of Irish horseracing and ensuring confidence in the sport is protected by robust and transparent regulatory practices and consistent, proportionate and impartial enforcement of the Rules of Racing.”

Denis Hogan is currently serving a three-month suspension of his training licence over a separate matter, relating to four positive post-race tests for prohibited substances over a five-year period.