Top Irish trainer facing drugs charges

There is something very strange going on with reporting of these cases. For example the Carlow Nationalist reports on the cases appearing before the local court each week. It did the same this week yet never made any mention on Hughes' appearance in court last week. Likewise the Fenton case has apparently been ongoing for over 2 years and the case hasa already been before the courts twice with no local reporting.
 
HRI cannot do anything to the trainers without a positive test result, just like the Sungate incidents. Rules need to change!

It's entirely a case of possessing illegal drugs (drugs are POM-V) and should have a valid prescription pertaining to a specific horse written for them and should be labelled as such. Having possession of the drugs without a prescription is a criminal offense.
 
There is something very strange going on with reporting of these cases. For example the Carlow Nationalist reports on the cases appearing before the local court each week. It did the same this week yet never made any mention on Hughes' appearance in court last week. Likewise the Fenton case has apparently been ongoing for over 2 years and the case hasa already been before the courts twice with no local reporting.
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It's weird. The media don't come out of this well.


HRI cannot do anything to the trainers without a positive test result, just like the Sungate incidents. Rules need to change!
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They surely do, Miesque. Do you know if they've already changed in the UK since Sungate?

By the way what does POM-V mean?
 
The court case scheduled to be heard on Thursday morning involving leading Irish trainer Philip Fenton has been adjourned until March 20.

Fenton was due to appear at Carrick-on-Suir District Court to answer charges brought about by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine following an inspection of his yard on January 18, 2012.

The County Tipperary trainer, 49, has been charged with possession of anabolic steroids and other unlicensed substances, but the case will not be heard until after the Cheltenham Festival, which begins on March 11, at the request of Fenton's legal team.

Fenton's stock has been especially high of late following the exploits of Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Last Instalment, a superb winner of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown, and the 2009 Champion Bumper winner Dunguib, who was victorious at Navan last Sunday.

The Tullow Tank is another Fenton-trained candidate for the Festival after winning three races, two of which were Grade Ones, this term.

The Irish Courts Service confirmed in a summons notice that Fenton had been served with a series of charges in relation to animal remedies. Should he be found guilty, punishments range from a maximum fine of 5,000 euro to a six-month term of imprisonment.

The British Horseracing Authority is liaising with the Irish Turf Club to gain as "much information as is currently available" about the Fenton case.

A statement read: "BHA are currently in possession of little in the way of information regarding the charges that Philip Fenton is facing.

"We are in contact with the Irish Turf Club with a view to gathering as much information as is currently available.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further or to speculate about this issue until we are in possession of the relevant fact
 
Owner Barry Connell says The Tullow Tank will miss Cheltenham due to uncertainty surrounding the Philip Fenton steroids case
 
The whole thing is a shame and should be dealt with swiftly not like this, the case arises from 2 years ago so I don't see why TTT should not race. The adjournment is frustrating and I'd really like to hear a statement from Fenton.

If last instalment doesn't race the racing is the big loser


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Yes, the correct decision, and fair play to Barry Connell for taking it, it can't have been easy. It's probably the exact opposite of what Fenton was hoping to achieve by getting the case adjourned till after Cheltenham.
 
Grey said:
Yes, the correct decision, and fair play to Barry Connell for taking it, it can't have been easy. It's probably the exact opposite of what Fenton was hoping to achieve by getting the case adjourned till after Cheltenham.
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It should be pointed out that Connell has, in deciding not to race TTT until the case is concluded, lit a fire under the whole affair. There can now be no excuse for others to drag their feet. BC has also ensured that he'll have the most popular horse in the country if he sticks to his guns.....
 
BigTea said:
The whole thing is a shame and should be dealt with swiftly not like this, the case arises from 2 years ago so I don't see why TTT should not race. The adjournment is frustrating and I'd really like to hear a statement from Fenton.

If last instalment doesn't race the racing is the big loser


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On the contrary.
Let's say he runs well/wins and then the trainer found guilty, bearing in mind that the steroids in question treat leg injuries?
 
A knotty one for the BHA here if Gigginstown press on with running Last Instalment and Fenton with Dunguib as well .
 
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