IHRB publishes test results

HAIR and blood samples taken from horses at a premises near Monasterevin earlier this month have tested negative for substances that are prohibited at all times, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board has announced.

Animal remedies were seized at an address in Co Kildare on November 9th, in a raid led by Department of Agriculture officials and supported by gardaí as well as IHRB staff.

A statement from the IHRB on Tuesday regarding the samples it took from the horses that were there at the time read: “The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board can today confirm that the hair and blood samples taken from horses at a premises near Monasterevin, Co Kildare, on November 9 2021 have been analysed at LGC Laboratories and reported negative for prohibited at all times substances. As this is part of an ongoing investigation working in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and other agencies, we cannot make any further comment at this time.”

Upbeat report from Nico de Boinville on gallops injury

NICO de Boinville expects to be back riding early next week.

Nicky Henderson’s stable jockey suffered a schooling fall on Thursday morning and it was initially thought he had broken ribs.

However, De Boinville reports the injury is not as bad as first feared and while he will miss the big meeting at Newbury this weekend, he has already been back in the saddle on the gallops.

He told his Unibet blog: “As you are probably aware, I had a fall while schooling on Thursday morning.

“I obviously felt sore afterwards, but it was much better later in the day, so much so that I rode two bits of work this morning. I felt good, though I have decided to give this weekend a miss, but I expect to be back riding at the start of next week.”

Bookmaker strikes strategic partnership with media group

PADDY Power and Betfair parent Flutter Entertainment is to help Racecourse Media Group grow turnover, engagement and interest in its racing as part of a new strategic partnership announced by the businesses.

RMG CEO Martin Stevenson said the long-term link-up would have “far reaching benefits for RMG’s racecourses and the industry itself”, with Flutter’s UK & Ireland CEO Conor Grant adding: “We have an important and longstanding relationship with the racing industry, investing a total of £100m through media rights, sponsorship, hospitality, marketing and the levy in the last year.

“We are continually looking for ways to collaborate directly with partners like RMG and the rest of the racing industry to enable British horseracing to achieve its great potential and secure the long-term sustainability of the sport.”