Trainer Richard Hannon has been fined £8,000 by the Independant Disciplinary Panel of the BHA after his De Bruyne Horse (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) tested positive for metabolites of Tramadol following his win in the Woodcote S. at Epsom on Oaks day June 2. The 2-year-old has now been disqualified from the race with the Mark Johnston trained Cardsharp (GB) (Lonhro {Aus}) promoted to first place. The positive test on De Bruyne Horse represents the fourth positive test for Tramadol in Hannon's yard in a period of two years, the previous one being Log Out Island (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) who was disqualified from his win in the Listed Carnarvon S. at Newbury in May of last year. The BHA panel was satisfied that the Tramadol was not administered to De Bruyne Horse intentionally by Hannon or by any other person for whom he is responsible, however it did conclude that Hannon did not exercise all reasonable care in the possible prevention of the positive test.
In arriving at a fine of £8,000 which is at the upper end of the £1,000-£10,000 scale for similar offences, the panel decided there had been insufficient improvements in the yard's systems since the initial failed tests, however they did take into account the fact the trainer has implemented a number of new initiatives since the test in June to minimise the reoccurrence of any future cross contamination. This includes the installation of hand sanitizers for staff and has also a system of elective testing of his string carried out by independent veterinary surgeons.
The same panel also imposed a fine of £2,000 on Marco Botti following the presence of the prohibited substance Cetirizine in a sample taken from Indian Dandy (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) after that horse's win at Yarmouth in May. Indian Dandy has also bee disqualified and the race has been awarded to the William Haggas trained Across Dubai (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}).
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
