Trainer fined after prohibited substance finding
Following an Enquiry by the Disciplinary Panel of the Jockey Club, the leading trainer Lynda Ramsden was found in breach of Rules 53 and 221B(i) of the Rules of Racing and fined £950.
The Disciplinary Panel of the Jockey Club held an Enquiry into the analysis of the urine ordered to be taken from a horse named TURNAROUND (GER), trained by Lynda Ramsden, by the Stewards at York after the colt had finished unplaced in the Irwin Mitchell Solicitors Stakes on 17 August 2004. The urine taken from the horse was found to contain hydroxyethylpromazine and other metabolites of acepromazine, a prohibited substance. The Panel also considered whether or not Mrs Ramsden had committed a breach of Rule 221B(i) of the Rules of Racing, in the light of Jockey Club Instruction C8 headed ‘Records of a Treatment’, in that the records maintained in her yard failed to record in sufficient detail the use of ACP tablets – whose active ingredient is acepromazine – between 24 February and 29 September 2004.
After considering the evidence, including a statement from Mrs Ramsden, who was legally represented, Mr Peter Looker, a stable employee of Mrs Ramsden, Ms Yvonne Stapleton, a Jockey Club Investigating Officer and Dr Peter Webbon, the Jockey Club’s Director of Veterinary Science and Welfare, the Panel were unable to establish the source of the substance and could not therefore be satisfied that the administration of the substance was accidental and that the trainer had taken all reasonable care. The Panel also considered the sampling procedures that had been followed at York and concluded that they had been conducted in accordance with the relevant Protocol.
The Panel found Mrs Ramsden to be in breach of Rule 53 and accepted an admission that she was in breach of Rule 221B(i).
In respect of the former it imposed a fine of £700 and in respect of the latter imposed a fine of £250 on her. Under Rule 180(ii) of the Rules, the Panel also disqualified TURNAROUND (GER) from the race.
The Jockey Club was represented at the Enquiry by 5RB‘s Godwin Busuttil.
Links:
- Fine For Ramsden – Sporting Life