Godolphin steroids: It's OK though, he didn't realize they were banned

[my miss storm cat]

Al Zarooni faces BHA disciplinary hearing after positive drug tests

(Racing Post - excerpt)
By Tony Smurthwaite
6:33PM 22 APR 2013

GODOLPHIN trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni faces the loss of his licence after admitting being in breach of the rules of racing following the discovery of anabolic steroids in samples taken from a number of his horses including top-class filly Certify.


http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...=last7DaysNews

My favorite part is toward the end.

In a statement, Al Zarooni 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."

Riiiiight.

[Cannon Shell]

But they don't use drugs in Europe

[my miss storm cat]

Dahlink! If my title is going to be changed to include the word Godolphin (which is just dandy) could we please have it spelled correctly? Thanks!

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

But they don't use drugs in Europe

You're not implying any wrongdoing here, right?

Geez, the man didn't know.

[PatCummings]

I thought the data was really inferring something weird going on with his horses, and I stayed away from all his runners on DWC night as a result.

This season in the UAE - Al Zarooni first-off-the-layoff runners were a combined 9-for-41. All subsequent starters were a combined 1-for-38 (before the DWC meeting, they were 1-for-29). That lone winner was an even money shot in a 12-furlong turf race, and he beat a terrible field.

It's like some were totally primed for their first start and once they got into the season, totally floundered. It's pretty tough to go 1-for-38 after having gone 9-for-41 with the same group.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by PatCummings

I thought the data was really inferring something weird going on with his horses, and I stayed away from all his runners on DWC night as a result.

This season in the UAE - Al Zarooni first-off-the-layoff runners were a combined 9-for-41. All subsequent starters were a combined 1-for-38 (before the DWC meeting, they were 1-for-29). That lone winner was an even money shot in a 12-furlong turf race, and he beat a terrible field.

It's like some were totally primed for their first start and once they got into the season, totally floundered. It's pretty tough to go 1-for-38 after having gone 9-for-41 with the same group.

Still think its drug free over there?

[pointman]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

But they don't use drugs in Europe

My first reaction to this story as well.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

But they don't use drugs in Europe

[PatCummings]

Originally Posted by Scav

Still think its drug free over there?

There is no permissive race-day medication, but there have certainly been suspensions and fines for overages.

[Fearless Leader]

Godolphin Racing are proud supporters of the WHOA initiative.......

Water, Hay, Oats, AND Steroids

[tector]

http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/...dubais-rulers/

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by PatCummings

There is no permissive race-day medication, but there have certainly been suspensions and fines for overages.

It's hard when you are compensated by them to be completely objective. Nice quip about raceday meds like it matters if you own the lab doing the testing.

Lets call a spade a spade. They cheat with the same veracity as any other major concern.

[brockguy]

Oh dear what a disaster - If only now the Sheikh realises that the best way for his horses long term is to send them all to Fabre, that would be great...

[Kasept]

So many questions for Godolphin to answer over steroids discovery
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog...sheik-mohammed

[Kasept]

Nick Luck 9:30-10 on ATR today on Al Zarooni, Godolphin.. (BONUS: UK Classics preview & Lines of Battle thoughts):
http://www.thoroughbredracingradione...y=23&Itemid=35

[Danzig]

has that trainer been let go by godolphin yet?

[DaTruth]

I expect to read all about it in Joe Drape's May 3rd column.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by Danzig

has that trainer been let go by godolphin yet?

Quote from Simon Crisford...

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed was absolutely appalled when he was told and this is completely unacceptable to him. We will await the outcome of the BHA inquiry before taking any further internal action.

"Sheikh Mohammed has instructed me to begin an urgent review of all of our procedures and controls. That is already under way and we will take advice from the BHA in completing it."

Godolphin said no further comment would be made pending the completion of the BHA investigation and inquiry.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/hors...-29215956.html

[dellinger63]

It's hard for the guy to keep track of his wives. Horses?

Give Muhammed a break.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Quote from Simon Crisford...

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed was absolutely appalled when he was told and this is completely unacceptable to him. We will await the outcome of the BHA inquiry before taking any further internal action.

"Sheikh Mohammed has instructed me to begin an urgent review of all of our procedures and controls. That is already under way and we will take advice from the BHA in completing it."

Godolphin said no further comment would be made pending the completion of the BHA investigation and inquiry.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/hors...-29215956.html

Funny Michael Gill said the same thing a few years back..Maybe they know each other?

[Danzig]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...bha?source=rss



Mahmood Al Zarooni was charged with violating multiple rules related to banned substances in horses after samples from 11 of his horses at stables in Newmarket, England were found to contain traces of anabolic steroids.

The British Horseracing Authority also charged the 37-year-old trainer with failing to keep medication records and with conduct prejudicial to the sport.

Al Zarooni, one of two British-based trainers for Godolphin, was ordered to appear before a BHA disciplinary panel in London April 25 and could be stripped of his license.