Hall Green trainer Richard Whelan, whose license was suspended on March 24 following a failed drugs test (azaperone and azaperol) from runner Bangersand Spuds in January, has relinquished his professional trainer’s licence.
Whelan’s 25 runners have remained sidelined for the past month and the trainer phoned GBGB on Tuesday to inform them that he would not be attending a local enquiry.
GBGB are awaiting reports on a drugs tests on several of Whelan’s other runners in what appears to be a major investigation; it is almost unprecedented for a trainer to have his license suspended prior to a local enquiry.
GBGB Head of Regulation Mark Bird has confirmed that Whelan has been offered compensation en lieu of his runners’ enforced absence from the racing strength.
Hall Green are keeping their options open until the situation becomes clearer and – at this stage – have not ruled out offering a temporary contract should one of Whelan’s kennelstaff be cleared to take over the running of the kennel.
