Godolphin News

[Doobs]

I find this fairly astonishing

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/22258011

Godolphin trainer faces inquiry over banned substances
Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni has admitted making "a catastrophic mistake" after banned substances were found in samples from his horses.

He will attend a British Horseracing Authority inquiry after irregularities were discovered in 11 of 45 horses.

"This is a dark day for Godolphin. We are all shocked by what has happened," Godolphin manager Simon Crisford said.

The 11 horses include unbeaten Certify, who will not be allowed to run in next month's 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

...

Al Zarooni, who won the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster last year with Encke, plus the richest race in the world, the Dubai World Cup, with Monterosso, said: "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.

...

The BHA confirmed that on 9 April this year samples were obtained from 45 horses trained by Al Zarooni at Moulton Paddocks Stables in Newmarket and that the Horseracing Forensic Laboratory had detected prohibited substances, namely anabolic steroids ethylestrenol and stanozolol

Certify, unbeaten in four career outings and winner of the Shadwell Stud Fillies' Mile at Newmarket in September, had been ante-post favourite through the winter months for the Guineas, but was one of the seven horses whose sample tested positive for ethylestrenol.

Last year's Royal Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Opinion Poll was one of four horses testing positive for stanozolol.

[The Camel]

He'll be sacked, won't he?

Although I thought Suarez would too.

[horseplayer]

really? probably going on a lot more than just at al zarooooonis

this tweet made me laugh anyway

(Not)Nicky Henderson ‏@_NickyHenderson 1h
Mahmood Al Zarooni texted me last year asking for my vets mobile number, all becomes clear now #shocking


and this one

Maybe they could just blame it on the vet, get let off and go on and become champion trainer?

[Doobs]

He'll be sacked, won't he?

Although I thought Suarez would too.

I assume he will be sacked.  I was fairly shocked because I was under the impression that Sheikh Mohammed was one of the opponents of the widespread use of drugs in the USA.  I'd like to think he had no idea this was going on.

[tikay]

I would think it a certainty that he will get the tin tack.

The Trainer admitted it had been a "catastrophic mistake".

Simon Crisford said.....

"This is a dark day for Godolphin,"....."we are all shocked by what has happened."

I don't know if it is fair comment, but it was my belief that Godolphin upheld very high standards as to the integrity of Horse Racing across the world. Puts them in a pretty bad spot, if so.

In some ways, a great shame. For better or worse, Horse Racing in Great Britain would be a very different place without Arab money.

[horseplayer]

this is worth posting again

http://dgkelly84.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/clinical-record-entry-pre-race-check/

interesting to see how they deal with a massive supporter of british racing

[horseplayer]

You couldn't make it up. Entered in the Bet365 Maiden Stakes at Sandown on Friday. Mahmood Al Zarooni horse: Controversy.

[BigAdz]

LOL, classic.

You have to think this is a one off. If Godolphin been doing this for a while they been using wrong drugs, based on their lack of success vs spending over the years!

[0800]

Sheik Mo does not look like the sort of man you want to get on the wrong side of...

[BigAdz]

Looks like Al Zarooni will soon be part of a motorway somewhere in Dubai

[Doobs]

Looks like Al Zarooni will soon be part of a motorway somewhere in Dubai

Well I guess that ban answers the sacking question.

[The Camel]

From various snippets I've read on Twitter am I correct in saying if the drugs had been administered in Dubai (where they are legal to use on horses out of training) and then shipped to the UK he Al Zarooni would have been in the clear?

[Chompy]

Boylesports are 12-1 about Al Zarooni being champion trainer!

[Doobs]

Boylesports are 12-1 about Al Zarooni being champion trainer!

Rumours are that anyone who tries to back the each way will get the following message "Our automatic risk controls have rejected your bet".

You can't be too careful.