A lifetime ban for any horse administered prohibited substances is among the recommendations in a report published by Horse Racing Ireland.

The Irish Thoroughbred Industry Anti-Doping Task Force was set up following the disqualification of trainer Philip Fenton in 2014 after he was found to have banned substances, including anabolic steroids, in his possession.

In response the HRI board, in conjunction with the Turf Club, established the task force to assess the issues.

The report also underlines the need for the Irish racing and breeding industries to have access to a laboratory based in Ireland which meets the best international standards.

HRI has approved expenditure of more than 1.8 million euros ($A2.78 million) to buy new laboratory equipment and ensure appropriate facilities while it will also support the cost of additional sampling, higher levels of out of competition testing and the creation of a new the anti-doping unit through its integrity budget.

“The industry is worth over 1 billion euros ($A1.55 billion) annually to the Irish economy, and our international position as a world leader must be maintained,” Brian Kavanagh, HRI chief executive, said.

“The issue of illegal performance-enhancing drugs is one that needs to be addressed worldwide and Ireland is now to the fore in tackling this problem head on.”

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