Hackett fined €4,250 Over Cobalt Positive As Jockey Ban Reduced On Appeal

Race Horse trainer, Mr Ray Hackett, has been fined a total of €4,250 following a positive test for cobalt returned by Nowwhatdoyouthink, after the gelding won a maiden hurdle at Thurles in March 2025.

Nowwhatdoyouthink subsequently developed into a high-class chaser for Mr Hackett, winning a Grade 3 contest at Cork and finishing third in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown. He was later sold privately and transferred to Gordon Elliott, making his first start for his new trainer when finishing fourth in the Galway Plate in July.

The positive sample was taken after Nowwhatdoyouthink won the ThurlesRaces.ie Maiden Hurdle on March 6th, 2025. Analysis detected cobalt, with a subsequent B sample also confirming its presence.

During an IHRB investigation, Mr Hackett explained that Growvite Sheep, an over-the-counter supplement containing cobalt, had been administered to racehorses in his care in an effort to maintain their condition.
Mr Hackett said he had not realised the product’s use needed to be entered in his Medicines Register. He told the Referrals Committee that he has since changed his feeding practices and no longer uses the supplement.

The committee found Mr Hackett in breach of several rules relating to prohibited substances and medicines records. Nowwhatdoyouthink was disqualified from his Thurles victory, with Joueuse Royale promoted to first place.

Hackett was fined €1,000 in relation to the prohibited-substance breach, €1,500 and €1,000 for separate breaches of Rule 148, and a further €750 over deficiencies relating to the Medicines Register, bringing the total to €4,250.

Harnett successful on appeal.
Mr Paddy Harnett was partially successful in his appeal against a nine-day suspension imposed for improper riding at Clonmel on September 16.

Harnett informed the Appeals Body that he believed his saddle had slipped during the closing stages. After considering the evidence, the panel concluded that his riding was at the severe end of careless riding rather than meeting the threshold for improper riding. His suspension was consequently reduced from nine days to six.