Two jockeys have been sanctioned over issues with doping tests, while one has a handed a possible ban for failing to submit to a test, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board have confirmed.

Jockey David Simmonson has been suspended for two years after a doping test found traces of cocaine and cannabis following a meeting at Tipperary on 11 August.

Cian Cullinan has been suspended for four years after traces of cocaine were found in a drugs test at Listowel on 10 September, which again will be reviewed within 12 months.

Neither jockey requested that the 'B' Sample be analysed.

Senior IHRB medical officer Dr Jennifer Pugh said Simmonson had cooperated fully and engaged extensively with a rehabilitation programme.

The IRHB Referrals Committee complimented the jockey on the manner in which he had addressed the serious difficulties he faced and acknowledged his willingness to deal with these issues both before and after testing positive.

They agreed that Simmonson’s significant efforts to address matters prior to the positive test needed to be reflected in the way they would deal with penalty.

In a statement, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board said that "in view of the exceptional circumstances and the mitigating factors, they agreed that they would review the matter again within one year should Mr. Simmonson wish to reapply to the Committee for a review of the suspension."

They agreed that at any future hearing they would consider the issue of a partial suspension of the penalty from 11 August 2020, "subject to evidence of Mr. Simmonson’s positive engagement with medical and associated matters between now and then."

Meanwhile Dr Pugh noted that Cullinan had taken appropriate steps to address the issue that had arisen and expressed a view that what had occurred was not indicative of habitual use.

The Referrals Committee will consider the issue of a partial suspension of the penalty to apply with effect from 3 October 2020 subject to evidence of Cullinan’s positive engagement with medical and associated matters between now and then.

Another jockey, Liam Quinlan has been banned for failing to submit to a doping control test at Galway in August.

Dr Pugh said that there were personal issues which were contributory factors to Quinlan’s behaviour on the day.

The Referrals Committee deferred the imposition of a penalty until next year pending receipt of further reports.