Like the economists blamed by Bertie Ahern for talking down the economy in 2007, the backlash to horse trainer Jim Bolger calling out drug cheats as Irish racing’s number one problem was familiar and predictable. Chairman of representative body the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association (IRTA) Michael Halford told the Oireachtas Agriculture committee examining Bolger’s claims that the good name of the sport had been “maligned”. “In my position as chairman of the IRTA, I can honestly say that apart from a well-publicised recent claim imparted from one trainer, I have never received any reports on doping in Irish racing,” the…

Join The Currency

SPECIAL OFFER.

€1 for 1 month

The Currency has turned 3 – and we are celebrating with a special offer.

Get full access to 3,700 interviews, investigations, columns, features and columns for the first month for just €1.

Or sign up for an annual membership at the reduced price of €200.

Cancel at any time.

To become a member today click here.