Report: Aidan, Donnacha O'Brien banned, fined for COVID violation

Trainers Aidan O'Brien and Donnacha O'Brien have been fined €2,500 each and banned from race meetings in Ireland for two weeks after not following coronavirus-screening protocol at the Curragh on June 12, the Racing Post reports.

The incident occurred on the Irish 2,000 Guineas day, when the father-and-son trainers failed to enter the track through the health-screening area, according to the report.

Aidan O'Brien, a champion trainer, said he and his son had the proper documentation for the health screening, according to the report, and he attributed the breach to a misunderstanding.

He said it was his first day at the track since racing resumed, and they entered through a side gate that they normally use. He said no questions were asked and that "there was nothing untoward about it. It was just a misunderstanding, and we are fully supportive of all the measures in place to keep racing going."

The matter was heard by a referrals panel of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board at the Curragh on Monday, according to the report.