O'Brien cautioned over failed test
Thursday 21 May 2015 19:14, UK
Jockey Tom O'Brien has escaped with a caution following last month's failed breath test at Stratford.
The raceday stewards took the action of preventing him from taking up his only ride on April 19 after holding an inquiry following a report from the sampling officer.
O’Brien’s sample was found to contain alcohol in a concentration above the threshold level permitted under Schedule (D)3 of the Rules of Racing headed “Banned substances and notifiable medications”.
Having considered the evidence, the BHA Disciplinary Panel accepted an admission from the rider, in his absence, that he was in breach of Rule (D)66.
Taking into account that the level of alcohol found was 24 mgs/100ml of breath, which fell within the range of the ‘Lower Level’, and that this was O’Brien’s first offence, the Panel cautioned him against providing a finding above the threshold level for alcohol in the future.
It also pointed out to O’Brien that a second breach of this nature within 24 months would lead to a much more serious outcome.
