FINDINGS from the independent audit of Irish racing’s anti-doping measures will be published in the second quarter of this year, according to the Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue.

The audit is being carried out by Dr Craig Suann, who has 33 years of experience working in Australian racing. Dr Suann was asked to carry out the audit by the IHRB following an Oireachtas cross-party hearing last summer prompted by comments made by trainer Jim Bolger.

In response to a recent Dáil question from Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy regarding the timeline of the audit, the Minister replied: “I am advised that Dr Craig Suann began his work on the Equine Anti-Doping Audit of the IHRB last month.

“As per the IHRB’s recently published Equine Anti-Doping Report, Dr. Suann will audit the IHRB’s Equine Anti-Doping plans, policies and procedures as they relate to the report issued last year by the Joint Oireachtas Committee and also the IHRB’s Strategic Plan 2019-2023.

“He will assess what has been achieved so far and what is outstanding with recommendations on how to achieve these objectives as a priority. The IHRB’s Equine-Anti Doping strategy will be examined in the context of strategies and best practices employed by other racing regulators.

“The findings of Dr. Suann’s report will be published by the IHRB in early Q2 of this year.”