The First Instance Tribunal, Delegatees of the Jamaica Racing Commission, on 18th of May 2026 concluded an investigation under Section 25 of the Jamaica Racing Commission Act, into a report by the Racing Chemist that urine samples taken from the horse, CAPTAIN PHILLIP, following the running of the 1st race on Saturday, 15th February, 2025, indicated the presence of COCAINE, which is in breach of Rule 247 under the Rules of Racing.
The split portion (B sample) was subsequently analyzed at the University of the West Indies Mona Analytical Chemistry Lab (UWIMAC), where the presence of COCAINE was confirmed to be in the sample taken from the horse.
After thoroughly considering the evidence presented by Mr. Garth McBean K.C., the Commission’s Legal Adviser and Mr. Dale Murphy, who represented Trainer Barrington Dawes, Assistant Trainer Micheal Mattis, Grooms Dwayne Downie and Ocon McCollin, the Tribunal:
- Accepted the findings of the Racing Chemist, that urine samples taken from the horse CAPTAIN PHILLIP on Saturday, 15th of February 2025, contained the drug COCAINE (Class 1 prohibited substance).
- Ruled that Trainer Barrington Dawes and Groom Dwayne Downie were found culpable for the prohibited substance found in CAPTAIN PHILLIP.
- Imposed a fine of One Hundred and Eighty Thousand Dollars ($180,000) on Trainer Dawes with Three (3) months to pay and was subsequently warned off for Two (2) years.
- Imposed a fine of Sixty-Eight Thousand Dollars ($68,000) on Groom Dwayne Downie and was given Three (3) months to pay.
- Ruled that Assistant Trainer Micheal Mattis and Groom Ocon McCollin were not found culpable and therefore were exonerated.
- Disqualified CAPTAIN PHILLIP from the race, pursuant to Rule 207 of the Racing Rules 1977.
Mr. Garth McBean K.C., the Commission’s Legal Adviser, marshalled the evidence on behalf of the tribunal.
