Thoroughbred Stewards Inquiry Apprentice Brodie Kirby
RWWA Stewards today concluded an inquiry into a report received from the ChemCentre (Perth) that a banned substance was detected in the urine sample taken from Apprentice Brodie Kirby at the Belmont Trials on Monday, 17 September 2018.
The inquiry initially commenced on Monday, 12 November 2018 with evidence taken from Apprentice Kirby, ChemCentre Analyst Ms Meena Raghvani and RWWA Medical Advisor Dr. Peter Cummins.
Apprentice Kirby subsequently pleaded guilty to a charge under AR.81A(1)(a) for providing a urine sample at the Belmont Trials on Monday, 17 September 2018 which upon analysis was found to contain a substance which is banned under the provisions of AR.81B.
After hearing submissions from Apprentice Kirby and his representative, the inquiry was adjourned to allow him to provide a number of character references prior to Stewards then considering the matter of penalty.
The Stewards today finalised their deliberations and imposed a penalty of nine (9) months suspension of his permit with the penalty being backdated to 19 October 2018, being the date he was initially stood down under AR.81A(3).
Pursuant to AR.81D, Apprentice Kirby was advised that after serving a minimum of two months, Stewards would give consideration to a remission of penalty, provided a number of strict conditions are met.
These condition include him providing evidence of the satisfactory completion of drug counselling, the provision of numerous clear urine samples to be taken on a random basis as directed by Stewards and progress reports from his host trainer.
If such conditions are fulfilled, Apprentice Kirby was informed that he may then make application for a stable employee licence only, which must be held for a minimum period of two months. Following on, continued progress in abiding by all of the conditions imposed, consideration would then be given to permitting him to ride trackwork after four (4) months). Then riding in trials after a minimum period of five (5) months being served before then resuming riding in races after six (6) months, subject to him fulfilling all conditions to the satisfaction of the Stewards.
In assessing penalty, Stewards took into account the following factors:
- The seriousness of the offence
- The banned substance detected
- His guilty plea and personal circumstances
- Penalty precedent for similar offences