Luke Comer, a billionaire businessman, is contemplating his legal options following his failed appeal concerning a three-year ban on his license to train racehorses, effective in two weeks. The entrepreneur based in Monaco is set to be prohibited from training from July 15th, due to a verdict reached last week by the appeals panel of Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.
The rejection of Comer’s appeal marked the ultimate step in racing’s disciplinary proceedings, as he contested the suspension that was a result of the largest doping scandal in this country where nearly twelve of his horses were found positive for anabolic steroids.
The incriminating tests took place after a surprise IHRB raid on his stable near Kiltiernan, Co Dublin in 2021. A referral panel hearing the previous year was unable to ascertain how the drugs ended up in the horses and failed to find any evidence indicating deliberate doping. Yet, blame was placed on Comer as the owner of the license.
Ahead of his upcoming three-year suspension, Comer is evaluating his possible alternatives. The real estate developer, aged 66, who has held a licence since 1991, had earlier vowed to utilise his wealth to safeguard his reputation, emphatically proclaiming his complete innocence which has aroused rumours regarding the affair ending up in the courtrooms.
Andrew Coonan, his solicitor, remained silent about the possibility of any future legal proceedings when queried about it on Monday. He responded by saying that his client is currently assessing the judgement of the appeal body, and a decision on what course of action to take is yet to be made.
The appeal body last week mentioned a separate disciplinary case against trainer Tony Martin who failed to secure a judicial review from the High Court regarding his suspension of a three-month licence by the IHRB. Martin sought approval for the review on the day prior to his ban starting.
The renowned victor of many Cheltenham Festival races, Martin, was suspended following a successful appeal by the IHRB against the original lenient penalty for violating anti-doping regulations the previous year. It is unclear whether Comer might seek a judicial review of his case.
Last Thursday, the statement by the appeal panel, chaired by Justice Peter Kelly, stated that in assessing the penalty, it should be kept in mind that the presence of substances in racehorses that are prohibited at all times gravely undermines the integrity and reputation of the sport of Irish racing.
The text indicated: “No charges were brought by the IHRB, nor were any verdicts made by the referral committee or us that these substances were purposely given. However, it is also true that Mr Comer was unable to offer a plausible account, based on the likeliness, for what transpired. The banned substances were found not in one but around 10% of horses trained by Mr Comer.”
Mr Comer is allowed to continue entering his horses to race until 15th July, and plans to enter seven horses at Roscommon this coming Tuesday evening, with five planned to run in the final maiden race alone.
There is ongoing conjecture within the racing industry about what Mr Comer’s reaction might be to his unsuccessful appeal, particularly in regards to the horses trained at his Kiltiernan facility, and maybe his dedication to the sport in general.
Luke Comer Jnr, his son, is also a licenced trainer but is seldom seen, having raced less than 60 times in the past five years. He had a sole winner in 2018.
The entrepreneur is also a major patron, endorsing the Comer Group Irish St Leger at the Curragh in September, which is the Irish Champions Festival’s second day, with a €600,000 sponsorship.
In other developments, John Murphy, a trainer from West Cork, plans to challenge Aidan O’Brien’s highly-acclaimed Derby winner, City Of Troy, in the Coral Eclipse at Sandown this Saturday. 11 entries stay put for the one and a quarter mile event, where City Of Troy will compete against older horses for the first time. The sponsors have instantly placed him as an 8/15 favourite, with Murphy’s White Birch considered his biggest competitor.
This season, White Birch, undefeated in three starts, impressively defeated O’Brien’s 2023 Derby champion Auguste Rodin in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh in May.
O’Brien has three other older runners, Luxembourg, Continuous and Hans Andersen, still in the game. His son Joseph has the alternative to run Al Riffa, who didn’t perform well in his last start at Saratoga. Other significant three-year-old potential contenders include Ghostwriter and Dancing Gemini.
A bustling Tuesday awaits in Ireland with two matches lined up, and Roscommon will be the venue for the prominent Lenebane Stakes in the twilight hours. Dylan Browne McMonagle made his selection leaning towards Raise You, outshining another prospective contender by Joseph O’Brien, Deakin. Based on ratings, the choice was relatively simple. However, one cannot overlook Deakin’s impressive performance at Royal Ascot even from a challenging wide draw. This could potentially uplift Crystal Black’s form in the future.