Correction: Statement from BHA Chief Executive Paul Bittar regarding today's Disciplinary proceedings involving Mahmood Al Zarooni

“We believe that it is recognised by all who follow our sport that the circumstances in this particular case are exceptional, not only on account of the profile of the owner in question, but also the number and calibre of the horses involved. However, we also believe the outcome is an endorsement for the effectiveness of British Racing's dope testing programme.

“On April 9th representatives of the BHA visited the yard of Mahmood Al Zarooni and took samples from 45 horses as part of our testing in training sampling programme. As soon as the nature and number of positives became apparent, we recognised that there were a number of challenges for the sport and the BHA, initially in the very short term.

“The first and immediate priority was to establish the facts as to how the prohibited substances came to be present in the horses’ samples. Secondly, in view of the potential repercussions for the sport and the profile of the races for which some of the horses held entries, it was in the public’s interest, as well as that of BHA and Godolphin, to progress the Disciplinary procedures as quickly as possible.

“Both of these objectives have now been met and I would like to publicly thank the staff at the BHA and the team at HFL Sport Science who have worked around the clock on the case to achieve the outcome of today’s Disciplinary Panel hearing. This rapid resolution would also not have been possible without the full cooperation of Godolphin and Sheikh Mohammed.

“The relevant Rules in this case are explicit in that the use of anabolic steroids in horses in the care of a licensed trainer is prohibited and that strict liability for everything administered to horses while they are in training lies with the trainer. The BHA’s investigation has established that the substances in question were administered on the instruction of Mahmood Al Zarooni. The full details of this will be formally addressed in the Disciplinary Panel’s findings, to be published in due course and once they are available.

“We believe that the 8 year disqualification issued to Mahmood Al Zarooni by the Disciplinary Panel, together with the six month racing restriction placed on the horses in question by the BHA, will serve to reassure the public, and the sport’s participants, that use of performance-enhancing substances in British Racing will not be tolerated and that the sport has in place a robust and effective anti-doping and medication control programme.

“The next objective for BHA is to take the necessary steps to ensure that overall confidence in the integrity of the sport is not at risk. We welcome the proactive response of Godolphin and Sheikh Mohammed in announcing their intention to review the procedures of this stable and the need to ensure that all horses formerly trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni are tested and cleared before they race again.

“The BHA will conduct the testing of the horses with the analytical work being carried out by HFL Sport Science. Godolphin have stated they will cooperate fully with this process. In addition, we will also provide advice to Godolphin of necessary changes to its procedures and controls where appropriate, and this will be supported by Godolphin’s own review.

“Naturally, the BHA will itself consider the wider issues raised by this matter and we will seek to ascertain and collate all other relevant information including where necessary interviewing other employees or contractors of Godolphin. As we do in all cases, as part of an ongoing process we will identify further areas for consideration which could be incorporated from this into our future sampling strategy.

“Finally, this case has served to highlight something that we were already aware of, in that there are inconsistencies across international racing jurisdictions regarding what substances are permitted to be used in training. While around the world, horseracing bodies quite rightly adopt a zero tolerance policy to the presence of anabolic steroids when carrying out post-race testing, the approach is not so consistent for horses in training.

“In an age of increasing international travel and competition we will put the subject on the agenda for discussion with our international colleagues.”


Notes to Editors:


1. The original charges can be found here: http://www.britishhorseracing.presscentre.com/Press-Releases/Notice-of-a-Forthcoming-Disciplinary-Panel-Hearing-Mahmood-Al-Zarooni-3b7.aspx

2. Some information regarding the testing of horses in British Racing can be found below:

There are two forms of testing carried out by the BHA in Britain – raceday testing and testing in training.

Raceday Testing

2012:
Number of runners – 90,174
Number of post-race samples – 7,182
Number of positives – 14
Positives as a percentage of runners – 0.19%

2011:
Number of runners – 94,786
Number of post-race samples – 7,619
Number of positives – 13
Positives as a percentage of runners – 0.17%

2010:
Number of runners – 92,025
Number of post-race samples – 7,952
Number of positives – 25
Positives as a percentage of runners – 0.31%

Testing in Training

Between 600-700 tests were carried out in 2012 as part of the 'testing in training' sampling programme. There could be a number of reasons why a yard could be idenitified for testing in training but we do not disclose the strategy for this.

The average racehorse population in training at any one time was around 14,000 in 2012.





For more information contact:



Robin Mounsey
British Horseracing Authority
t:02071520048
m:07584171551
e: rmounsey@britishhorseracing.com

Now it's all coming out with the wash

Crisford says Al Zarooni revealed 2 foremen and a vets assistant helped him with the doping. All took place after return from Dubai.

Racing Post ‏@RacingPost 3m
Crisford: "The vets assistant had no idea what he was injecting. He had a direct order from the trainer."

never heard or read so much s h i t in all my life

Some will say Chemical Al is really the innocent one here and taken the fall for the master and his b!tch

BHA Press Office ‏@BHAPressOffice  4m 
Statement given on behalf of Mahmood Al Zarooni at the press briefing following today’s Disciplinary Panel hearing
"I would like to apologise to Sheikh Mohammed, as well as to all those involved with Godolphin and the public who follow British Racing."
"I accept that it was my responsibility to be aware of the rules regarding the use of prohibited substances in Britain.”
”I can only apologise and repeat what I said in my statement earlier in the week, I have made a catastrophic error."

even the bhb know its rife around world.

what a stitch up this is ffs . horses 'out of training' routinely tested in ireland???

the sheikh wanted to pay on a level plying field, thats the whole point in this Zarooni 2nd trainer policy.

they know what theyre doing , i hope Mo fights back .

no justice , the powers that be want him out

Anaglog...who is the bitch you refer to ?

Don't tell me he has more then one lapdog?

Crisford: "The vets assistant had no idea what he was injecting. He had a direct order from the trainer."

Do they actually expect us to believe this laughable nonsense?

if he told everyone he was jabbin da juice he might get caught ,simon must of told him "dont tell anyone "

Crisford hanging on is a joke.

Crisford "vet's assistant didn't know what he was injecting" SC making himself look a right **** now. As if any vet or his assistant would do that

Assistant vet "You want me to inject this into your horses"
MAZ "Yep". 
AV "What is it"?
MAZ "Dunno"
AV "You haven't a clue what it is and you want me to inject it into a quarter of million pound thoroughbred?"
MAZ "Yep"
AV OK! i'll do it"

Give the patsy eight years and pat the real culprits on the back for their cooperation.... typical cowardly act from the laughing stock of the racing world.

Any idea if the vet.....sorry veterinary assistant ....has been struck off AD?

think Sheikh Mo should wash his hands of Al Zarooni and Crisford, it would be a catastrophic error  to stick with them after this, and the damage to Godolphin and to racing generally is irredeemably tarnished.

shyte

"Good morning Mr Vet how are you today"?

"I am well thank you".

"Could you please inject this into these 15 horses"?

"What is it"?

"I don't know for sure - I think it is called Medicinal Compound and was invented by Lily the Pink".

"Ok - no problem at all" !!!

in 6 months time nobody will know where he his or what hes doing as for returning after 8 years .....my ar....se

If he didn't think he was doing anything wrong, why would he go about it in such a clandestine manner?