Letter sent to NGRC.

This letter was sent to the NGRC on the 29th Jan 2003, in response to our discussions with Ger Watson over the positive testing of the Greyhound "Springtime" in the 2000 Scottish Derby Final.

^{Dear Sir}

^{You will be aware that the Union of Greyhound Owners has been researching drug testing carried out by the NGRC. As part of our work we have considered those judgements that in our opinion were irregular.}

^{Our attention was drawn to the case of the 1999 Irish Derby winner SPRINGTIME, who in the 2000 Scottish Derby final tested positive for the drug Metoprol. We noted it as extremely unusual for the NGRC that such a drug positive should produce no financial penalty to the trainer involved.}

^{To that end UGO recently made contact with Mr Ger Watson, trainer of Springtime in order to discuss in detail the content of his inquiry.}

^{The NGRC calendar report No 00359 0f the 28th July 2000 included the following statement:}

^{“Mr Watson told the Stewards that he was unable to explain the presence of the drug. He stated that he did not consider that the greyhound had been interfered with during its transportation from Ireland and was satisfied with security at Shawfield Stadium and the extra security measures they had taken for the big occasion”}

^{The Stewards found Mr Watson in breach of Rule 174(A) (JJ) and having considered the submissions, made NO order. We note Mr Ger Watson, lives in Ireland and has therefore not received or seen the case as reported in the NGRC calendar. You and the Stewards would be very much aware of this fact.}

^{Mr Watson has confirmed to UGO that he denies at anytime indemnifying or praising the security at Shawfield Stadium, on the contrary Mr Watson confirmed the opposite. He had in fact at the Inquiry criticised Shawfield security, informing the Stewards of kennels with ventilation vents giving access to greyhounds including Springtime from outside the kennelling area.}

^{Mr Watson has provided UGO with a signed statement condemning the NGRC Stewards false reporting of his inquiry in their calendar.}

^{Mr Watson is one of the most respected figures in the Irish Greyhound Industry, yet the NGRC by falsely reporting Mr Watson indemnifying Shawfield Stadium security which avoided adverse publicity, were leaving NGRC calendar readers to assume possible involvement by Mr Watson in administering the drug. In other words if it could not occur at Shawfield Stadium with it’s terrific security it obviously occurred whilst in Mr Watson’s care.}

^{The false reporting of an inquiry by the NGRC Stewards is inexcusable and unforgivable and now makes your own position and that of the Stewards who sat on the Springtime Inquiry untenable.}

^{Greyhound Racing relies upon the Stewards of the NGRC to administer the Integrity of our sport. From recent events it is clear that the NGRC is failing time and time again, to that end we feel it is time for you the Chief Executive and Stewards of the NGRC to do the honourable thing and resign to make way for individuals who will provide the standards of integrity our sport requires.}

^{The credibility of the NGRC has gone and for the benefit of our sport UGO demand you and the Inquiry Stewards, Mr J H C Nicholson - Chair, Mr L E Bentall, Mr J L W Crittall, Mr N Dunnett, Miss C Kershaw go, and quickly.}

^{Yours faithfully}

^{Tim Gardner}

^{UGO Vice Chairman}

^{cc - Richard Caborn - Department of Culture Media and Sport}

^{Geoffrey Thomas - Chief Executive British Greyhound Racing Board}

^{Sir Charles Lennox Conygan - Chairman British Greyhound Racing Fund}