UAE Trainer Gets 12-Month Ban After Two Positive Drug Tests In Horses

A Group-1 winning trainer in the United Arab Emirates has received a 12-month suspension after the prohibited substance, propoxyphene, was found in samples from two competing horses.

The details of the disqualification of Majed Al Jahouri were outlined in a statement from the chief steward of the Emirates Racing Authority (ERA), John Zucal.

Propoxyphene, an opioid analgesic which is considered a performance-enhancing substance, was detected in post-race urine and pre-race blood samples taken from Thakif after the horse won Race 5, HH The President Cup, over 2200 metres at Abu Dhabi on February 15 this year.

The drug was also found in a post-race urine sample taken from Areem after the horse finished fifth in the first race at the Bani Yas over 1400 metres at Meydan four days later.

Al Jahouri admitted two charges under the UAE’s racing rules.

Stewards, in imposing the suspension of 12 months on each charge, to be served concurrently, considered Al Jahouri’s guilty pleas, the seriousness of the matter, the status of the races involved, and the nature of the prohibited substances detected.

They noted that these were his third and fourth offences in relation to breaches of the prohibited substance rules.

The disqualification will expire at midnight on April 6 next year.

Further, ERA licensed veterinarian Dr Alejandro Echezarreta admitted two charges that he administered or caused to be administered Fustex to the horses at the centre of the charges, resulting in the positive propoxyphene test findings.

In imposing a 12-month disqualification, the stewards said Dr Echezarreta should have sought advice from the ERA Veterinary Department over Fustex.

Thakif and Areem were disqualified from their respective races.

• In an unrelated action, trainer D. Selvaratnam was fined 40,000 Emirati dirhams after admitting a charge over a positive result for the prohibited substance orphenadrine, a therapeutic substance, in a post-race urine sample taken from Forjatt after the horse won Race 5, the Jebel Ai Mile over 1600 metres, at Jebel Ali on February 20 this year.

The treatment had been given under veterinary advice.

Forjatt was formally disqualified as the winner of the race.

• In another unrelated action, the authority fined another trainer, D. Watson, the sum of 40,000 Emirati dirhams after orphenadrine was found in a post-race urine sample taken from Storm Belt after the horse won Race 5, the District One (2000 metres) at Meydan on February 19.

Watson pleaded guilty to one charge under ERA rules over the positive test.

The treatment was given under veterinary advice.

Storm Belt was disqualified as the winner of the race.