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Nicky Henderson Faces Ban Over Failed Drug Test - 06-28-09
June 28 - This week it was revealed that one of the UK's most respected jump racehorse trainers, Nicky Henderson, faces a lengthy ban after one of the horses he trains on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II, Moonlit Path, failed a routine drug test after running in a race at Huntingdon Racecourse in February this year.
Not only does the leading trainer have egg on his face, but risks being barred from horseracing in the UK for up to five years. His fate now rests in the hands of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), who on Monday found him guilty of breaching racing rules. A BHA panel will decide the severity of his penalty.
According to reports, after finishing 6th in a novices' hurdle at Huntingdon Racecourse at the beginning of the year, a routine drug test revealed traces of a banned anti-bleeding drug in Moonlit Path's blood sample. In front of the BHA, Henderson pleaded guilty to three of the four charges he was accused with.
Throughout the eight-hour BHA hearing, the trainer reportedly denied that he administered the anti-bleeding drug to Moonlit Path, and that despite the drug being found in her system, it was in no way intended to enhance her performance. True or not, her lack-luster result in the race backs up Henderson's claim.
In a statement, the trainer was quoted as saying, 'The substance concerned was administered by my vet entirely in the interests of the horse's welfare, which is always paramount. There was no intention to enhance performance.' Unfortunately for Henderson, UK horseracing authorities take a dim view of 'doping'.
And now he'll be waiting on tenterhooks with regards to his horseracing future in the country. Over and above the potential five year ban he is facing, he could also be slapped with a hefty fine as much as 12,000 pounds. Leaving the BHA hearing, the 59-year-old trainer declined to comment regarding the proceedings.
Following the hearing, the BHA released a statement that said. 'With the breach of Rule 200 (which governs administrating or attempting to administrate a positive substance) being of such a serious nature, we (the panel) have decided to deliberate longer on a suitable penalty before reconvening on a suitable date.'
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| | 2009/11/20 11:35:19 AM |
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