Irish jockey Gearoid Brouder has been hit with a massive four-year ban, although there is a possibility of the last three being suspended, after he tested positive for a metabolite of cocaine at Gowran Park on May 10.
That positive test came on the same day that Brouder was banned for 21-days under the non-triers rule after finishing fourth aboard the Charles Byrnes-trained Ellaat in a low-grade handicap.
Traces of benzoylecgonine, the cocaine metabolite, were found in a dope test conducted on Brouder at Gowran on the day and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board on Monday announced that the rider's licence would be suspended for up to four years.
The ban will begin on Friday and means that Brouder is now suspended from holding a jockey's and trainer's licence as he is serving a 12-month ban from the training ranks after irregularities arose from a stable inspection last September.
In the case of Ellaat, Byrnes was fined €6,000 despite stating he was not happy with the ride Brouder gave the horse.
The jockey has partnered 26 winners in Ireland and has also sent out two winners as a trainer on the Flat.
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