Appeals Body published their verdicts on the appeals made by Comer

The Appeals Body recently released their decisions on the appeals filed by Trainer Luke Comer and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) regarding the penalties imposed on Comer during the initial Referral Hearings.

During the Referral Hearings last year, Comer was found guilty of multiple offences related to 12 horses under his care testing positive for anabolic steroids. As a result, his licence was suspended for three years, and he faced hefty fines and associated costs.

Both Comer and the IHRB appealed these penalties, with the Appeals Body ruling in favour of some technical aspects raised by Comer. However, the suspension of his licence for three years, set to start on July 15, remained unchanged.

Despite extensive legal and scientific investigations, the origins of the largest drug scandal in Irish horse racing remain unknown. The discovery of the horses testing positive for anabolic steroids was accidental, as they were selected for testing after races, where routine urine and blood samples were taken. Anabolic steroids are notoriously difficult to detect in urine or blood, with hair samples being the preferred method.

Following a positive test for one of Comer's horses, further tests revealed 11 more horses testing positive for the same substances. Comer claimed innocence, citing environmental contamination, but this defence was dismissed by the Referral Committee. Other possible explanations include flawed testing procedures or intentional doping.

Despite efforts to uncover the source of the substances, no conclusive evidence was found. Comer's security measures at his training facility were called into question initially, but new evidence presented during the Appeal Hearing refuted these claims.

While Comer may feel unfairly targeted, as the licensed trainer, he bears the responsibility for the actions of the horses in his care. The mysteries surrounding the drug scandal persist, highlighting the challenges faced by racing regulators in addressing such issues.