Godolphin trainer disciplinary panel over steroids

Classic-winning Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni is to face a British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel hearing after samples taken from 11 horses in his care in Newmarket were found to contain traces of anabolic steroids.

Al Zarooni, who won the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster last year with Encke, as well as the richest race in the world, the Dubai World Cup, with Monterosso, has trained a whole host of big-race winners since joining Sheikh Mohammed’s operation and told the Godolphin website he had made a “catastrophic error”. He said on www.godolphin.com: “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.”

A statement on the Godolphin website read: “Following an inspection of Zarooni’s stable by officials from the BHA, traces of prohibited substances were discovered in a number of the horses tested, including Certify. The BHA has advised that, as a result, the filly will not be allowed to take part in the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket next month. Al Zarooni has admitted that he was responsible for the administration of the prohibited substances.”

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

• Perth is the latest racecourse in Britain to receive a Gold Standard Award from the Racehorse Owners Association with a presentation planned on Friday – the concluding day of the April Festival, the course’s first meeting of 2013. The accolade recognises overall excellence in the raceday experience for racehorse owners and four of Scotland’s five racecourses now hold the ROA Gold Standard award.

Meanwhile, Nicky Henderson is happy for Sprinter Sacre to take his chance on testing ground in the Boylesports.com Champion Chase at Punchestown today. Henderson, who will be crowned champion trainer at Sandown on Saturday, has been in contact with Punchestown’s general manager Richie Galway on a daily basis for the past week to check on conditions. Stable jockey Barry Geraghty was also sent to walk the track and reported back that conditions were not that desperate.