Peter Moody: Black Caviar was steroid-free

Last week, trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni was suspended for eight years in the Godolphin doping scandal, and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has called for global conformity in doping law as anabolic steroids are banned in British racing but allowed out of competition in countries such as Australia, Dubai and the United States.

Asked if Australian mare Black Caviar ever received steroids, Moody said: “Nil.”

He added: “Steroids increase bulk. Black Caviar was a huge mare, from the day she was born. It would have been absolutely counter-productive.”

The BHA said: “There is no evidence to suggest that horses trained from outside Britain competing in this country have done so with the benefit of anabolic steroids.”

All visiting trainers must disclose treatments to the BHA when horses arrive in the country, and the Australian rule is that steroids must not be in the horse’s system on race day.

The six-year-old Black Caviar was tested prior to winning the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last June. Moody said Black Caviar was tested 24 hours after she arrived in Britain and three days before her narrow Ascot victory. “There was nothing in her system,” he said.

It was announced earlier this week that Newmarket trainer Gerard Butler faces a BHA inquiry, having admitted giving racehorses banned steroids.

Meanwhile, Estimate gave the Queen a realistic chance of winning the Royal meeting’s most famous race for the first time after impressing at Ascot.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, Estimate has already made a memorable contribution to one of Her Majesty’s favourite weeks when she took last year’s Queen’s Prize, which was presented by the Duke of Edinburgh in an historic moment.

The Queen’s bloodstock advisor, John Warren, believes the four-year-old has the  right breeding to cope with the extended trip of the Gold Cup (she is a half-sister to 1999 winner Enzeli) and she powered past the line a length and three-quarters ahead in the two-mile Longines Sagaro Stakes.

Third in two decent fillies’ races later last season, Estimate went off the 2-1  favourite. Ryan Moore sat tight behind the strong pace set by Germany’s Tres Rock Danon, striking the front a furlong out.

“That was great, very exciting,” said Warren. “I asked Ryan Moore whether she would stay another half-mile and he said ‘we won’t know until we try’.

“Whatever runs in the Gold Cup, they are not bred to do it but she has got every chance as her pedigree is all stamina.”