Godolphin’s Al Zarooni Hearing Set For Thursday

Godolphin stables trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni, who has admitted using banned steroids to dope racehorses, will face a Disciplinary Panel in London on Thursday, the British Horseracing Authority said on Wednesday.

Eleven horses based at Newmarket in southern England tested positive for steroids, including stanozolol – the substance used by disgraced Olympic sprinter Ben Johnson at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Announcing the date for the disciplinary hearing, the BHA said Al Zarooni had also admitted administering prohibited substances to four other horses under his care, in addition to the 11 that were tested positive.

On Tuesday Al Zarooni, who works for Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s stable, said he regretted what he described as “a catastrophic error”.

Samples were taken from 45 horses at Godolphin’s Moulton Paddocks Stables on April 9.

Eleven samples were found to contain prohibited substances including ethylestranol and stanozolol.

One of the horses to test positive was Certify. The filly will not now be allowed to take part in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket next month.

Unbeaten in four career outings, Certify was one of seven horses to test positive for ethylestranol. Gold Cup runner-up Opinion Poll was one of four to test positive for stanozolol.

Founded in 1992, the Godolphin stable has won more than 2,000 races worldwide with winners in 14 countries.