Shane Bargary, an amateur jockey, has seen his riding licence withdrawn for a decade following a second cocaine test failure in a span of little over a year. This marks the harshest punishment meted out for a doping violation to a jockey in Ireland.
Primarily participating in point-to-point races, Bargary first tested positive for cocaine in one such event in November 2022. This resulted in a four-year ban, with a provision to petition for the reinstatement of his licence after a year. Following a reassessment of Bargary’s situation in the subsequent November, he was reissued his licence, only to fail a second test for cocaine in a point-to-point race by the end of January.
In response to these offences, a tribunal headed by Justice Tony Hunt honoured Bargary with the remaining three years of his initial ban, along with an additional seven years for his second violation. Jennifer Pugh, chief medical officer of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, testified at the tribunal that reflecting the jockey’s current status was impossible as he had not maintained consistent contact with her over a significant period.
“Our disappointment is now intensified because he violated the two terms on which his previous suspension was conditional. Firstly, he didn’t co-operate fully with Dr Pugh’s requirements. Secondly, and most likely as a consequence of the first failure, he had a further doping violation as soon as January 28th, 2024,” stated the tribunal’s verdict.
The verdict went further to elaborate on its grave concern over Bargary’s approach post the violation. Bargary left a rehabilitation centre arranged for him prematurely and without notifying them. The tribunal regarded his non-chalance towards mitigating the situation as worrisome and deemed the imposition of a longer, consecutive penalty necessary under these circumstances.
In recent updates from the regulatory board, horse-rider Gearóid Brouder is now eligible to apply again for his licence, having completed one year of a four-year ban ensuing his cocaine-positive test in May of 2023.
Earlier this week, a hearing panel took into account his testimonies, detailing the amount of hardship he faced the previous year. Brouder highlighted the impact of support he received from Dr Pugh and Pat Brennan, the well-known counsellor for addiction, which resulted in a change in his mindset and selection of a better lifestyle.
Dr Pugh commended Brouder’s level of involvement and made it clear that compared to the circumstances before his ban, the rider has acknowledged his responsibilities and made significant changes in his behaviour and involvement.