Dr. Tom Brennan, the veterinarian involved in the cobalt cases of Australian trainers Sam Kavanagh, Mark Kavanagh and Danny O'Brien, has admitted he did not provide “full and frank” evidence during Racing NSW inquiries. Brennan now admits he provided two bottles of an injectable substance labeled 'vitamin complex', produced by another veterinarian, to Sam Kavanagh. Brennan noted he received payment from persons associated with Kavanagh, which he paid to the other veterinarian, and he admitted to disposing of a record book with details of the bottles sent to Kavanagh.
Brennan also admitted to administering the 'vitamin complex' substance to horses in Mark Kavanagh and O'Brien's care, but he has denied knowingly administering cobalt in all cases. He also said he inquired with the vet who supplied him with the vitamin complex, who assured him it did not contain cobalt or any other prohibited substances. Brennan has agreed to stand down from providing veterinary services for racehorses beginning Aug. 1, pending the outcome of his hearing and charges, which will be heard early next month at the same hearing that Sam Kavanagh's 24 charges will be heard. Hearing dates have not been set for Mark Kavanagh or O'Brien. Racing NSW has also indicated it will pursue an inquiry with the vet that supplied the vitamin complex to Brennan.
Brennan's admissions were revealed alongside the news that the appeal of trainer Darren Smith, who is banned 15 years for cobalt used, was dismissed.
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