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A horse who won handicaps almost a year apart for different trainers has been disqualified from both races after testing positive for prohibited substances on each occasion.
The rulings published on Tuesday by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) referrals committee relate to victories for Art Of Unity at Bellewstown in October 2025 and at the Curragh 12 months earlier.
At the first hearing, the committee considered a report confirming that a urine sample taken after the 5f handicap at Bellewstown on October 2, 2025, contained dexamethasone.
Art Of Unity was trained by Aidan Melia, who accepted the breach was one of strict liability. IHRB deputy head of veterinary operations Dr Graham Adams outlined the details of an unannounced inspection of the yard, during which no dexamethasone was found and no entry for its use appeared in the Medicines Register.
Adams stated that he advised Melia that any purchaser of the horse should be informed that they were the subject of an investigation, but Melia said the horse had been sold prior to him becoming aware of the finding.
Chief veterinary officer Dr Lynn Hillyer said the horse had returned to the trainer’s care only two weeks before raceday and highlighted the risks associated with an unknown recent medication history. The committee found Melia in breach of Rule 96(i), and imposed a €1,000 fine. A further €250 fine was issued under Rule 148(iv) for an incomplete Medicines Register.
Aidan Melia was the trainer of Act Of Unity for the second of his two disqualified victoriesCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)
Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid commonly prescribed to manage inflammation or allergic reactions. It is prohibited on race day under rule 20 (v) of the rules of racing.
Nine days later, a separate committee considered an earlier positive after Act Of Unity’s win in a 5f handicap at the Curragh on October 17, 2024, when trained by Muredach Kelly.
A report received in November 2024 confirmed the presence of cobalt, with the ‘B’ sample analysis also returning positive. Hillyer explained cobalt is naturally present in a horse’s diet but regulated above a set threshold due to potential performance-enhancing and welfare effects.
Kelly accepted he was in breach of a number of rules and could not explain the adverse analytical finding. He was fined €1,500, with further fines totalling €1,000 for additional rule breaches.
The IHRB referrals committee has disqualified Art Of Unity from two handicap victories a year apart
Credit: CAROLINE NORRIS
In a separate ruling, the Referrals Committee disqualified Bowgate Street from the 2m2f mares’ handicap hurdle at Sligo on October 25, 2024 after urine tests confirmed the presence of meloxicam and diclofenac.
Dr Lesley Ferguson, IHRB deputy head of veterinary policy, explained how the two medications are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and painkillers which work in a similar way that were not accounted for within the Medicines Register for Bowgate Street.
Trainer Mr Michael Flannery accepted the breach, acknowledging he had administered prescription-only medications without veterinary oversight and failed to record them in the Medicines Register.
The committee found him in breach of Rule 96(i), disqualified the horse, altered the placings, and forfeited the stake, imposing a €2,500 fine. Additional fines totalling €1,250 were issued for breaches relating to trainer responsibility, incomplete Medicines Register entries, and possession of prescription-only medicines.
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