The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) is gearing up for a legal battle as trainer Harry Rogers takes his case to the High Court, alleging a false positive drug test on one of his horses in 2017.
The regulatory body stated it will “defend the case fully” but refrained from further comment.
Rogers, based in Co Louth, claims the disputed test cost him financially, tarnished his reputation, and caused mental distress.
The initial test, conducted by BHP Laboratories in Limerick, flagged a banned substance, but when Rogers requested a secondary test at another lab, the result came back negative.
The IHRB dropped the case, yet Rogers is now pursuing legal action against both BHP and the IHRB.
BHP handled testing for Irish racing’s regulatory body, formerly the Turf Club, for nearly two decades before their partnership ended in 2018.
Though no official link was made between the split and Rogers’ test result, reports suggest the IHRB paid up to €500,000 to BHP in compensation for lost business. The IHRB has since transitioned drug testing to LGC Laboratory in Newmarket.
Rogers has remained tight-lipped on the case, while an IHRB spokesperson reiterated its stance: “We will be defending the case fully but cannot comment further while legal proceedings are ongoing.”
Cheltenham Looms as Sir Gino’s Fitness Raises Concerns
With just over four weeks to go before the Cheltenham Festival, trainer Nicky Henderson faces a dilemma over Sir Gino’s preparation.
The Arkle Trophy favorite was forced to withdraw from Newbury’s Game Spirit Chase due to a sore hind leg, leaving Henderson scrambling for an alternative warm-up race.
“I’m disappointed this morning. I hoped we might be riding him tomorrow, but that’s looking unlikely now,” Henderson admitted.
Options remain slim, with only Kempton’s Pendil Chase or a minor Bangor race as possible tune-ups. However, both come with drawbacks—Kempton’s longer distance is not ideal, and Bangor’s proximity to Cheltenham offers little room for recovery.
Despite setbacks, Henderson remains optimistic. “Some horses have won the Arkle on just their second start over fences, so it’s not impossible. If needed, we’ll prepare him at home or arrange gallops elsewhere.”
Cromwell’s Gamble Pays Off at Exeter
Trainer Gavin Cromwell reaped the rewards of a bold move as Only By Night overcame weight penalties to secure victory in Sunday’s Listed Mares Novice Chase at Exeter.
Jockey Keith Donoghue steered the 10/11 favorite to a narrow one-length win over Kilbarry Saint, while Fun Fun Fun, trained by Willie Mullins, settled for fourth.
“I thought the ground was a little dead, but she responded well once I got her to the front,” Donoghue noted, adding that the mare was merely idling in the closing stages.
With Cheltenham now on the horizon, Only By Night has options—either sticking with the Mares Chase or taking on Sir Gino in the Arkle.
As festival season approaches, every decision carries weight. For some, like Rogers, the battle is fought in the courtroom. For others, like Henderson and Cromwell, it plays out on the turf.
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