I have been unofficially informed today that the B blood sample taken from my Olympic horse has been tested. Minute traces of the medications fluphenazine and zuclopenthixol have been found.
As you are all aware, I have always maintained that the "B" analysis would confirm what I have said from the start, that my horse was given a medication by my vet during therapy only, and well in advance of the (Olympic) Games. The preliminary readings seem to suggest a figure of about 120 picograms of Fluphenazine, which amounts to 0.00012 millionth of a gram in 1 millilitre of blood and the quantity of concentration of Zuclopenthixol amounts to 0.0005 millionth of a gram in 1 millilitre of blood. To put it in context, this is approximately 1 billion times less than the present drink driving limit in Ireland.
This corroborates my explanation that the horse had been given a sedative by my vet well in advance of the Olympic Games in Athens. These readings are so minute that they confirm what I have said throughout this matter, that they had absolutely no therapeutic or performance enhancing effect on my horse at the Games themselves. It is plain to see that we are talking about a fraction of a millionth of a gram in each case.
I have always tried to keep my supporters and the public fully informed at all stages about developments in this case but you will realise from all that has happened that this has not been easy, and throughout there has been a worrying lack of information and clarity from the FEI to me and my representatives. Despite this I have never deviated from my original statement that Waterford Crystal was prescribed this medication by my vet during a time of rest, and well in advance of the Olympic Games and that it had no therapeutic or performance enhancement value whatsoever by the time the Games commenced.
I would like to clarify the situation regarding ABC Landliebe. On 30th of July (eight days after Waterford Crystal had been treated), I was informed that she had tested positive for fluphenazine and guanabenz. I did not know initially how this was possible. James Sheeran, my vet, was away at this time, so I checked my records with my travelling groom. Landliebe had become extremely stressed and agitated, showing signs of a colic, in transit to Rome. Colic can be a very serious condition and it is vital that the animal is not standing still. In consultation with another vet by phone, it was decided that the mare should be kept walking and if possible, administered something to relax her. We stabled in an equestrian centre en route and as no vet was available, the stable manager gave us what he said were homeopathic medications which would relax the horse. I assumed that this was the cause for ABC Landliebe's positive test.
I gave my explanation to the FEI and this was accepted, and therefore no ban or suspension was issued. However, as the medication was present, I was fined, under FEI rules.
It was only when I was informed about the Athens test (7th of October) and after consulting with my vet James Sheeran, we could see that fluphenazine was the common denominator in both cases. James Sheeran had given Landliebe fluphenazine in April 2004, at a time when she was recovering from an injury. This was given in the best interests of the horse at a time of rest, remote from competition, to prevent the animal re-injuring herself. The second drug found in Landliebe was obviously in the medication that she received en route to Rome. I want to reiterate that no treatment has been deliberately given to my horses, that would enhance their performance.
James Sheeran wishes to add to this statement as follows: "Waterford Crystal was in full fitness, but needed treatment in a hydrotherapy unit for one week. This entails standing in an enclosed space and I did not want him to injure himself. I chose these drugs because I wanted a calming effect without making him sleepy or unsteady on his feet, as equine medicines would. Also, by this one-off injection, it did not require administration by injection on a daily basis, which I chose in the best interests of the horse".
"The result of the B sample proves that the concentration is at a sub-therapeutic level, and would therefore have no positive effect on performance at the time of the Games".
-(end of statement from James Sheeran)
As I understand the situation, it is now a matter for the FEI and not myself to develop the case further and I believe that I must now furnish the Federation with an explanation as to how these findings have come about. This explanation will be the same as that which I have always maintained and I again now reiterate to you that I in no way tried to affect the results of the Olympic Games through drugs and I am pleased that these findings have now finally and scientifically vindicated this position.