Jockey Gearoid Brouder is hit with a FOUR-YEAR suspension after testing positive for cocaine on the same day his horse was also banned for 90 days and his trainer was fined £5,000
- Gearoid Brouder has been suspended from horse racing for four years
- The suspension comes after he tested positive for cocaine back in May
- The test was the same day he was banned for not riding a horse on its true merits
Irish jockey Gearoid Brouder has had his licence suspended for four years after testing positive for cocaine.
Brouder was tested at Gowran Park in Ireland on May 10, and traces of cocaine were found in his system.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board have now handed him the significant punishment of a four-year ban, although Brouder will be able to apply for part of his ban to be suspended.
‘It’s a four-year suspension. In 12 months’ time he can apply for a suspension of the final three years,’ IHRB communications manager Niall Cronin said, as quoted by The Racing Post.
‘That would be subject to certain conditions set out by the referrals committee which would include engagement and co-operation with the chief medical officer Dr Jennifer Pugh.
Jockey Gearoid Brouder (pictured in 2020) has been banned from horse racing for four years after testing positive for cocaine
‘The full decision of the referrals committee will be issued in the coming days.’
Brouder’s positive test came on the same day he was given a 21-day ban for not riding his horse on its true merits in a 1m6f handicap race at Gowran Park.
Brouder’s horse, Ellaat, finished fourth in the race, but officials were not happy with the jockey’s conduct and he was hauled in front of stewards to explain his actions alongside trainer Charles Byrnes.
After not being satisfied with Brouder’s explanation, the jockey was banned for three weeks, while Byrnes was fined €6,000 (£5,100).
Ellaat was given an even more severe punishment, as the horse was barred from racing for 90 days.
However, following the IHRB’s verdict, Brouder now faces a much longer spell away from the track.
His positive test came on the same day Brouder (circled) was given a ban for not riding his horse Ellaat on its true merits
He was already serving a 12-month ban from the training ranks while the IHRB carried out their investigation.
Cathal Byrnes, Charles’ son and the owner of Ellaat, admitted he was stunned by the suspension, and has claimed others need to take some responsibility for the scandal.
‘The fact he tested positive and was allowed to ride on the day – I can’t understand that,’ he told Racing TV.
‘The jockey has tested positive, you have to assume it was significant, a four-year suspension is colossal.
‘We can’t appeal, my horse is still suspended, my trainer was hit with a large fine, I just don’t know what to make of it.
‘I’m lost for words. I’m so disappointed and upset over the whole thing. We’re getting thrown under the bus, there were other failings that obviously happened.
‘I don’t think there should even be an appeal, the horse should be allowed to run and the fine should be returned with an apology. It’s so upsetting for this to come out – it just slaps you in the face.’
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