By: Paulick Report Staff
A pair of trainers in the United Arab Emirates have been suspended for 12 months each, according to the Emirates Racing Authority, for concentrations of cobalt in excess of 100 micrograms per liter of urine.
Trainer Mr. Musabbeh Al Mheiri pleaded guilty to the charge that he presented and raced Vivernus to a victory in Race 3, “Selva Middle East Trophy Maiden”, (1900 metres) at Meydan on Saturday 14th January 2017, which was subsequently found, upon analysis of a post-race urine sample, to have had cobalt administered to it, as evidenced by a concentration of cobalt in excess of 100 micrograms per liter in urine.
Trainer Mr. Hassan Al Hammadi was found guilty to have presented and raced Salmeen to a second-place finish in Race 1, “Wathba Stud Farm Cup (For Private Owners Only)”, (1000 metres) at Al Ain on Friday 18th November 2016, which was subsequently found, upon analysis of a post-race urine sample, to have had cobalt administered to it, as evidenced by a concentration of cobalt in excess of 100 micrograms per liter in urine.
Mr. Hassan Al Hammadi was also found guilty of a charge that he presented and raced Af Rajes to an eleventh-place finish in Race 6, “Longines UAE Bred Handicap”, (1200 metres) at Sharjah on Saturday 19th November 2016, which was subsequently found, upon analysis of a post-race urine sample, to have had cobalt administered to it, as evidenced by a concentration of cobalt in excess of 100 micrograms per liter in urine.
Both trainers were suspended a period of one year for each infraction; Musabbeh Al Mheiri was suspended for one year, while Hassan Al Hammadi was suspended for two years. All three horses were subsequently disqualified from their finishing positions in those races.
