EAST Cork restricted trainer Ger O’Leary has been fined €1,500 and lost a winner, following a Referrals Committee hearing.

Empire Succes gave O’Leary his first-ever winner, when landing a maiden hurdle at Wexford on October 27th. The horse subsequently tested positive for diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory.

Dr Lynn Hillyer, chief veterinary officer for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, told the Referrals Committee that, during the course of the investigation, which included an unannounced stable inspection in November, O’Leary confirmed at an interview in December that he had administered Voltarol gel to Empire Succes on the advice of his equine physiotherapist two days prior to the race in question.

The trainer accepted that he did not have an understanding of what the gel contained. Dr Hillyer also stated that O’Leary had not entered the administration of Voltarol in his Medicines Register or sought any advice from a veterinary surgeon prior to administration.

John Fitzgerald, head of the Restricted Trainers Association, spoke in support of O’Leary, who he said had only been training for approximately six months and has only three horses in training. He was not accustomed to having regular veterinary engagement, as it wasn’t required for the size of his operation.

Referrals Committee chairman Laurence McFerran said: “The Referrals Committee appreciate the candour with which Mr O’Leary has approached this matter, and we note the personal distress that this has caused during this period. Mr O’Leary’s commitment to being more vigilant in the future is also noteworthy.” The horse was disqualified and the race was awarded to Rue Taylor, trained by Paul Nolan and ridden by Sean Flanagan.