Encke: one of seven further Al Zarooni horses to test positive for drugs

 PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Encke among further positive Al Zarooni tests

THE 2012 St Leger winner Encke is one of seven further horses to test positive for anabolic steroids at former Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni’s Moulton Paddocks stable, bringing the total to 22.

The entire string at the Newmarket stable was tested in the wake of Al Zarooni’s eight-year ban for administering anabolic steroids to 15 horses, including former 1,000 Guineas favourite Certify, in what was widely described as the most serious drug scandal in British racing’s history.

One-time Investec Derby entry Steeler and Energizer, a Royal Ascot winner for German connections in 2012, are also among the horses to have provided a positive sample.

Encke was tested before and after his St Leger win, providing negative samples on both occasions. His victory at Doncaster last September denied 2,000 Guineas and Derby winner Camelot the first Triple Crown since Nijinsky in 1970.

A total of 391 Godolphin horses were tested between April 29 and May 2 following the BHA’s disciplinary panel hearing of April 25, at which Al Zarooni was found guilty of doping his horses and banned.

Saeed Bin Suroor’s horses were also tested and all samples returned clear, paving the way for him to take over at Moulton Paddocks.

In a statement posted on Godolphin’s website, racing manager Simon Crisford said: “It is obviously very disappointing that seven further horses have tested positive for stanozolol.

“These results highlight why H.H. Sheikh Mohammed took the decision to lock down the stables at Moulton Paddocks until every Godolphin horse in training at Newmarket had been tested.

“All of Saeed bin Suroor’s horses have tested clear and we are working with the BHA to put everything back in order at Moulton Paddocks.”

Al Zarooni is appealing the length of his ban and the BHA said it would not pursue any fresh action against the ex-trainer while the appeal process was ongoing. No date has been set for the hearing, which will take place no earlier than the last week in June.

Paul Bittar, the BHA’s chief executive, said: “Whatever the outcome of his appeal before the independent appeal board, the gravity and scale of the infringements warranted Mahmood Al Zarooni being removed from control of the yard as quickly as possible.”

The other four horses to test positive are Genius Beast, Improvisation, Stamford and Zip Top. Like all the Godolphin horses to have returned positive samples the latest seven are suspended from racing for six months from the date the samples were taken.

Of the 15 horses at the heart of the original inquiry 11 had been identified by random drug testing at Moulton Paddocks on April 9. A further four names were volunteered by Al Zarooni before his hearing.

Al Zarooni admitted at his hearing that he had adminsitered anabolic steroids to his horses, bringing the prohibited substances back from Dubai in his luggage, taking them by car to Newmarket and passing them to an unqualified veterinary assistant with instructions to dope horses.

The trainer, while admitting the charges against him, claimed he did not realise the use of steroids was prohibited at all times in British racing. In certain other jurisidictions, including Dubai, anabolic steroids may be used as long as the substance has left a horse’s system by raceday.

However, the trainer was slammed by Godolphin owner Sheikh Mohammed and the BHA disciplinary panel.

In a statement released on April 24 Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai, said: “I was appalled and angered to learn that one of our stables in Newmarket has violated Godolphin’s ethical standards and the rules of British racing.”

The disciplinary panel’s findings read: “The panel concluded that Al Zarooni sought to confer an unfair advantage on his horses by the underhand administration of illegal medication. His attempt at cheating was uncovered by the regulatory inspection and he had no justifiable excuse for his behaviour.”

Al Zarooni did not have legal representation at the original hearing but has engaged high-profile QC William Clegg to represent him at his appeal.

fonte: RacingPost