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 UAE's Godolphin stable rocked by 'catastrophic' allegations
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UAE's Godolphin stable rocked by 'catastrophic' allegations
Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni is to face a British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel hearing after “serious irregularities” were found in samples taken from horses in his care in Newmarket.
The Emirati has enjoyed a number of big-race wins since joining the stable, owned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
They included Monterosso in the 2012 Dubai World Cup and Encke in the St Leger at Doncaster last year. But Al Zarooni will now face a hearing after 11 samples, from 45 horses tested, had prohibited substances, namely ethylestranol and stanozolol, present in them.
“I deeply regret what has happened. I have made a catastrophic error,” Al Zarooni told the Godolphin website. “Because the horses involved were not racing at the time, I did not realise that what I was doing was in breach of the rules of racing. I can only apologise for the damage this will cause to Godolphin and to racing generally.”
Certify, unbeaten in four outings and among the favourites for next month’s 1000 Guineas, was one of the seven horses whose samples tested positive for ethylestranol.
Opinion Poll, winner of the Dubai Gold Cup, was one of four horses that tested positive for stanozolol.
Adam Brickell, Director of Integrity, Legal and Risk for the BHA, said: “Ethylestranol and stanozolol are anabolic steroids and therefore Prohibited Substances under British Rules of Racing, at any time – either in training or racing.
“Mahmood Al Zarooni has been advised of the analysts’ findings and has been visited by an Investigating Officer.
“A Disciplinary Panel inquiry into the analysts’ findings will take place at the first available opportunity, confirmed details of which will follow when available. The horses which have produced positive tests will also not be permitted to race with immediate effect and for an extended period of time.”
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: “This is a dark day for Godolphin. We are all shocked by what has happened.
“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed was absolutely appalled when he was told and this is completely unacceptable to him.
“We will await the outcome of the BHA inquiry before taking any further internal action.
“Sheikh Mohammed has instructed me to begin an urgent review of all of our procedures and controls. That is already under way and we will take advice from the BHA in completing it.”
Godolphin will make no further comment until the completion of the BHA investigation and inquiry
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