Moulton Paddocks, the stable at the centre of the doping scandal, has been locked down with immediate effect by Godolphin owner, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai was horrified to learn that samples from 11 horses trained by Godolphin handler Mahmood Al Zarooni contained traces of steroids.
Sheikh Mohammed said: “I was appalled and angered to learn that one of our stables in Newmarket has violated Godolphin’s ethical standards and the rules of British racing.
- “I have been involved in British horse racing for 30 years and have deep respect for its traditions and rules. I built my country based on the same solid principles. There can be no excuse for any deliberate violation.”
After taking the strong action of locking down the Moulton Paddocks stable, Sheikh Mohammed was keen to assure everyone that such a scandal will never take place again at Godolphin.
He said: “No horse will run from that yard this season until I have been absolutely assured by my team that the yard is completely clean. Godolphin is fully cooperating with the British Horseracing Authority to get to the bottom of this.
“I have reiterated to all Godolphin employees that I will not tolerate this type of behavior.”
Al Zarooni to face to music
The future of Mahmood Al Zarooni will become clearer today after the Godolphin handler stands before a disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).
Al Zarooni faces three charges having admitted to “making a catastrophic error” in administering steroids to 11 horses under his care at Moulton Paddocks in Newmarket, England. Samples taken on April 9 from 45 horses in Al Zarooni’s care have revealed traces of ethylestranol and stanozolol, both prohibited substances.
The 36-year-old has been charged with rule breaches related to prohibited substances, duty to keep medication records and conduct prejudicial to racing. And in further developments the BHA revealed information provided by Al Zarooni showed that, in addition to the 11 horses that had initially tested positive, four other horses were administered one of two prohibited substances.
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