Leading names in Irish Flat Racing, Aidan and his son Donnacha O'Brien have both been banned from entering Irish racecourses for two weeks and also fined €2,500 euros each after failing to enter the Curragh through the health screening area on a race-day last month.
The two trainers breached the rules on July 12th which was Irish 2000 Guineas day and even though the pair did not know they had done any wrong doing the matter was heard by the referrals panel of the Irish Horse-racing Regulatory Board on Monday and they were given these punishments.
(Credit AtTheRaces) A tweet from the IHRB read: “At a referral hearing of Aidan O’Brien (Trainer) & Donnacha O’Brien (Trainer) following a referral from The Curragh on 12/06/20 both trainers were fined €2,500 & prohibited from attending a racecourse for 2 weeks for failing to enter The Curragh through the health screening area.”
IHRB press officer Niall Cronin said: “We noted the decision of the referrals committee and the various protocols regarding Covid-19 are very serious.
“It is important that they are strictly adhered to at all times to make sure that racing can continue in a safe manner for everyone involved.”
This ban from a racecourse in Ireland means that the pair will not be spotted trackside this weekend at The Curragh for Irish Oaks, with both having big potential chances in the Group One event.