Jason Servis | Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia

The winner’s share of the $20-million purse for the Feb. 29 Saudi Cup is being withheld in light of the criminal charges filed against winning trainer Jason Servis, the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA) said in a release Monday morning. Servis, who trained Maximum Security (New Year’s Day), was one of 27 people indicted after a wide-ranging FBI probe into horse doping.

The winner’s share of the race is $10 million.

The release read, in part: “JCSA is aware that Mr Jason Servis, trainer of the horse, Maximum Security (USA), the first placed horse in The Saudi Cup, has been indicted in the United States of America on charges relating to the administration of prohibited substances to horses in training under his care and control.

“JCSA is conducting its own investigation in respect of the allegations and until that investigation is concluded, JCSA will withhold payment of prize money due to all connections of horses placed in prize-winning positions in The Saudi Cup, Race 8. This decision has been communicated privately to connections of Saudi Cup runners.”

The release went on to state that the investigation has been slowed due to the coronavirus and that the JCSA will issue no further statements until its investigation is finished.

The JCSA is using a lab in France to conduct drug testing on Saudi Cup horses. The organization has not released any findings from the lab.

This story will be updated as new details come in.

by TDN