LARRY MCGRATH TO FACE DISCIPLINARY PANEL OVER TWO POSITIVE TESTS

Published: Thursday 01 Jun 2006

LARRY MCGRATH TO FACE DISCIPLINARY PANEL OVER TWO POSITIVE TESTS

Jump jockey Larry McGrath has recently been informed that he faces two Disciplinary Panel enquiries over positive samples detected through the HRA’s testing of riders programme.

The sample of urine taken from him at Carlisle on 9th March 2006 tested positive for cocaine. Another urine sample taken at Sedgefield on 17th April 2006 was found to contain a diuretic.

Both of these enquiries will be heard on 8th June.

1st June 2006

Notes for Editors:

1. The Guide to Procedures and Penalties lays down the following penalties:
Diuretics: 1st offence range £350-500
Other Banned Substances: 1st offence range 1 – 6 months with an exception for cocaine when the rider will normally have his licence withdrawn at the top of the range.

2. A total of 1558 tests were carried out on riders licensed by the Jockey Club in 2005 which included 100% of the apprentices and conditionals attending courses at the racing schools. Professional jockeys with over 200 rides were tested on average 6 times in the year.

3. Since testing of riders was introduced in 1994, four riders have tested positive and been banned for cocaine: Philip Shea, Dean Gallagher, Francis Norton and Robert Miles.