Detectives investigating a break-in at the offices of the Equestrian Federation of Ireland (EFI) believe it was aimed at gaining access to confidential files.
A filing cabinet in one of the offices was prised open, and several files were removed, although neither the Garda nor the EFI would say whether these concerned the confidential drugs inquiry into the Olympic gold medal-winning horse Waterford Crystal.
Nothing else was taken in the break-in, which occurred between 6 p.m. on Monday and 7.15 a.m. yesterday.
The alarm was raised by a member of staff who noticed the front door had been forced open and the filing cabinet tampered with.
While detectives said they were investigating a number of lines of inquiry, they do not believe it was the work of an opportunistic burglar, pointing out that there was nothing of value in the building except for some petty cash - which was not taken.
Forensic experts from the Garda Technical Bureau examined the scene yesterday, dusting the front door and filing cabinet for finger prints.
The front yard of the building, which is located in a remote corner of the Goffs equestrian complex in Kill, Co Kildare, was also examined for tyre tracks.
The building - a converted stable-block - can only be accessed by car down a tree-lined avenue from the main entrance to Goffs.
The roadway is guarded by a number of CCTV cameras and a security barrier which is closed at night.
Alternative ways of accessing the building are by foot through the Goffs stable complex - which is locked at night and guarded by separate CCTV cameras - or via a dirt track which runs between Goffs and a neighbouring farm.
Any intruder taking the latter route would have had to climb over two fences and marched 500 metres across a field - in which sheep normally graze - from the N7 Dublin-Limerick road to reach the building.
A spokesman for Goffs said to the best of their knowledge the barrier at its main entrance was closed on Monday night.
However, he pointed out that there were a number of keyholders attached to various tenants at the 100-acre equestrian complex, and "it's the responsibility of keyholders to close the gate on departure".
The spokesman confirmed no other buildings in the complex were broken into on the night in question.
The EFI building - which is identified only by a simple brass plaque on the door - is not covered by CCTV cameras or protected by a burglar alarm.
The federation's president, Ms Avril Doyle, remarked: "We did not think we had anything worth stealing. There is only a kettle and a couple of PCs there."
The scene remained sealed off yesterday to everyone but federation staff and gardaí.
Chief Supt Michael Byrnes of Naas Garda station, who is leading the investigation, was among those who called to the scene.
The federation, which moved into the building 18 months ago, stressed it had never previously experienced a break-in.
None of the internal doors had been locked in the building, which comprises a reception room and four offices, all belonging to the EFI.
"A thief coming past would have no reason to think there was anything in there," one staff member commented.