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Encke among latest positive tests for al Zarooni; bin Suroor trainees all clear

Encke, led by Mahmood al Zarooni (right), tested negative both before and after his St Leger victory (Courtesy of Doncaster Racecourse via Facebook) Following the April 25 Disciplinary Panel inquiry into the administration of anabolic steroids by Mahmood al Zarooni, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) confirmed that it would be conducting tests on all Godolphin-owned horses in training in Newmarket, including those at Moulton Paddocks (the yard formerly licensed to al Zarooni) as well as horses trained by Saeed bin Suroor.  Between April 29 and May 2, blood samples were taken from 391 horses and sent for analysis at HFL Sport Science. The BHA has now received written confirmation from the laboratory that analysis of the samples from horses based at Moulton Paddocks identified seven further positive tests for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid and therefore a prohibited substance under the Rules of Racing. All of the horses under the care and control of Saeed bin Suroor tested negative. The names of the seven horses based at Moulton Paddocks are: Encke, who famously thwarted Camelot's quest for the English Triple Crown in the St Leger last September. The BHA revealed that he was subjected to post-race tests after his third in the August 22 Great Voltigeur at York and again at Doncaster after the St Leger, and both came up negative. Energizer, winner of the Tercentenary at Royal Ascot when trained by Jens Hirschberger in Germany. He was sixth in the Great Voltigeur in his only outing for al Zarooni. Genius Beast, a full brother to Encke, who has not raced since finishing eighth in the 2011 St Leger. Improvisation, who just broke his maiden at Newmarket on April 17 but was not selected for post-race testing at that time. Stamford, a twice-raced maiden who has been off since September. Steeler, who has yet to race since joining al Zarooni. For his original trainer Mark Johnston, he captured the September 29 Royal Lodge and finished third in the October 27 Racing Post Trophy. Zip Top, unraced since his runner-up effort to Camelot in the 2011 Racing Post Trophy, his finale for Jim Bolger.

Godolphin and, via his solicitors, al Zarooni have been informed of the test results. Both Godolphin and al Zarooni have also been notified that they have the option within the Rules to ask that the relevant samples be subjected to B sample analysis. Both parties have until May 23 to confirm if they wish to take up this option.

In line with the restrictions imposed on the 15 horses identified as having been administered anabolic steroids in the initial investigation, and subject to confirmation should the B samples be sent for counter-analysis, the seven horses will be suspended from running in Britain for a period of six months from the date the samples were taken. As such the above horses would not be permitted to resume racing until October 29, 2013. Any of these horses may be subjected to further sampling, as directed by the BHA, prior to them resuming racing.

The BHA has also notified Godolphin that the application for bin Suroor to take charge of Moulton Paddocks will now be processed. Under the Rules of Racing, horses must be in the care of a licensed trainer for 14 days before they are permitted to run. 

Following the eight-year disqualification awarded by the Disciplinary Panel, al Zarooni lodged an appeal against the severity of the penalty. No date has been set for the Appeal Board hearing as yet but the BHA can confirm that it will not take place until the final week in June, at the earliest.

"We will not be taking any separate action in respect of these additional positive results whilst Mr. al Zarooni's appeal process is ongoing," said Adam Brickell, director of Integrity, Legal and Risk for the BHA.

"In the meantime, the latest findings from HFL Sport Science will form the subject of further interviews as part of the BHA's continuing investigation. From the outset, one of the aims of the investigation, in addition to trying to understand the environment within which such serious breaches came to be committed, has been to identify what measures are needed to ensure the yard operates in accordance with the Rules in future. The findings will be shared with Godolphin and will also assist the BHA with regard to the future licensing of the yard."

BHA Chief Executive Paul Bittar also commented on the developments.

"These test results endorse the swift action and measures taken by the BHA in this matter," Bittar said. "Whatever the outcome of his appeal before the independent Appeal Board, the gravity and scale of the infringements warranted Mahmood al Zarooni being removed from control of the yard as quickly as possible.

"We welcome the news that Saeed bin Suroor's horses tested negative and this clears the way for him to now take charge of Moulton Paddocks."

Godolphin issued a statement from racing manager Simon Crisford on the stable's website.

"It is obviously very disappointing that seven further horses have tested positive for stanozolol," Crisford said.

"These results highlight why H.H. Sheikh Mohammed took the decision to lock down the stables at Moulton Paddocks until every Godolphin horse in training at Newmarket had been tested.

"All of Saeed bin Suroor's horses have tested clear and we are working with the BHA to put everything back in order at Moulton Paddocks."

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