IRISH jockey Luke McGuinness has been banned from racing until 2026 after testing positive for cocaine a THIRD time.
The amateur rider was caught out at Limerick in December with two weighing room colleagues also testing positive over the winter.
Fellow jockeys Liam Quinlan and Paul Lake also tested positive for the drug and have been slapped with their own bans.
McGuinness only returned to action earlier the same month after testing positive for cocaine in January last year at a point-to-point fixture.
He was originally banned for six years for that second offence but was successful when reapplying for his licence after meeting the strict terms.
The latest positive means McGuinness will not be able to reapply for his licence until January 2026, a four year suspension.
At his hearing, panel chairman Tony Hunt said: “Because of the timeframe involved and with the hope that Mr McGuinness may have addressed matters fully by the end of the initial four years, he will be entitled to make an application to the Referrals Committee.
“Once he has completed this current four year suspension, to either in whole or in part have that new penalty suspended based on whatever plan and proposal is drawn up.”
McGuinness has been offered the services of Dr Jenny Pugh, the chief medical officer at Irish Racing, and that of a counsellor.
Quinlan tested positive in November last year at Limerick and also failed to submit to doping control back in 2019 when asked.
He was banned for a total of five years for the two offences but in the last four years of the suspension may reapply for his licence if the panel feel he is deserving.
Lake tested positive at Fairyhouse during the same month on what was his only ever ride under rules.
He was handed a four year ban, but may be able to reapply for his licence after a year.
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