Thursday, Apr 25, 2013
Dubai The high-level British Horseracing Authority (BHA) disciplinary hearing against Emirati horse trainer Mahmoud Al Zarouni began as scheduled at the organisation’s offices in London yesterday afternoon (Thurs).
Al Zarouni, who was accompanied by Godolphin’s long-serving racing manager Simon Crisford, faced a three-man adjudicating panel who were to decide on his punishment for administering banned substances to 11 of his horses based at Newmarket’s Moulton Paddocks.
On Monday the BHA charged Al Zarouni for breaching Jockey Club rules after several of his horses, including English 1000 Guineas favourite Certify, tested positive for the anabolic steroids ethylestranol and stanozolol.
Both substances are not sanctioned for any sort of veterinary usage in the UK.
Al Zarouni admitted to the offence saying that he had made a ‘catastrophic error,’ and that he was not aware that he had broken any rules as the horses in question were not yet racing at the time.
In a statement published on the Godolphin website Al Zarouni said: “I deeply regret what has happened. I have made a catastrophic error. 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.”
On Wednesday, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who created the Godolphin stable in 1992, shut down Moulton Paddocks and ordered a thorough investigation to be carried out.
“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,” Shaikh Mohammad said in a statement published on the Godolphin website.
“I have been involved in British horse racing for 30 years and have deep respect for its traditions and rules. I built my country based on the same solid principles. There can be no excuse for any deliberate violation.
“Godolphin is fully co-operating with the British Horseracing Authority to get to the bottom of this matter and take any appropriate disciplinary action.
“I have ordered the Godolphin management to undertake an immediate review of our internal procedures and controls to ensure to prevent any reoccurrence of this type of activity in any stables of mine,” the detailed statement said.
“We will be locking down the Moulton Paddocks stables with immediate effect, and I have instructed that I want a full round of blood samples, and dope testing done on every single horse on that premises.
“I can assure the racing public that no horse will run from that yard this season until I have been absolutely assured by my team that the entire yard is completely clean.
“I have worked hard to ensure that Godolphin deserves its reputation for integrity and sportsmanship, and I have reiterated to all Godolphin employees that I will not tolerate this type of behaviour.”
By Leslie Wilson Jr Racing & Special?Features Writer
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
