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Shock as claims from trainer Butler indicate more than 100 horses



The Godolphin drugs scandal that has rocked racing took a fresh twist last night when another Newmarket trainer admitted he is facing a ban for injecting horses with anabolic steroids.

Gerard Butler said several of his horses were treated for injured joints — on vetinary advice — with banned substances and claimed that more than 100 horses at Newmarket may have been given the same drugs.

Butler, who insists he is giving his full co-operation to the British Horseracing Authority, said: ‘I have been totally candid throughout, and it was I who told the BHA that I had treated four colts in December and January. I’m not trying to defend myself, just to explain what happened. And I must emphasise I was advised in good faith by my vets.



Shock: Gerard Butler claims more than 100 horses at Newmarket may have been treated with banned substances


THE QUESTIONS THAT STILL NEED ANSWERING


Can it really be believed only three other people were involved when the seemingly targeted testing — 11 positives out of the 45 original tests — suggests specific intelligence possibly from someone within the yard?
Will the BHA speak directly with Godolphin supremo Sheik Mohammed?

Will the BHA set up a ‘Truth and Reconciliation’ style process? Such a procedure would allow individuals to speak freely and may be the only way to truly wipe the slate clean at Godolphin or, at least, speed up the rehabilitation process?
Will the stain of suspicion on the stable ever be removed while they shuttle some of their horses to and from Dubai where controlled use of anabolic steroids is allowed?

‘It did not cross my mind that there could be any problem with this medication, And, judging from the fact that the BHA said nothing about it when they saw my medical book, it does not seem to have crossed their minds, either.

‘I have been very uncomfortable over the past few days, hearing about the Al Zarooni case,’ he told The Independent. ‘People need to know what has happened in my yard. I knew it was wrong to diagnose and medicate those horses myself. It was an unpardonable misjudgment, purely to cut corners in a very expensive treatment.

‘I know I’m obliged to satisfy myself that each and every treatment is within the rules, and I failed to do so in this case. But I am certain that this medication has been misunderstood by many others. And I just hope that the BHA is being suitably rigorous in establishing whether that is indeed the case.’

Butler’s horse Getaway Car is running in the last race at Windsor today. His comments came three days after Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni was banned for eight years after 11 horses tested positive for prohibited steroids at the stable owned by Sheik Mohammed.


Scandal: Trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni gave drugs to 15 horses in his Godolphin empire



Banned: Al Zarooni has been banned from horse racing for eight years

BACK ON THE TRACK



Sajjhaa, the first Godolphin horse to run since the anabolic steroid scandal erupted a week ago, finished fourth in the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Cup run at Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong.

The filly, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, has won four times this year in Dubai, concluding in the Dubai Duty Free on the World Cup card last month. There are no current Godolphin entries in Britain before the weekend.

Meanwhile, Paul Bittar, chief executive of the BHA, says he sympathises with those who question whether horses from countries where anabolic steroids are legally used should be banned from running in Britain.

Al Zarooni had brought illegal Ethylestranol and Stanozolol from Dubai, which might be subject to a police investigation.

The drugs can be used in the Emirate as long as they clear a horse’s system by race day. The same is true in Australia, whose sprinters, including Black Caviar last season, have dominated their British counterparts at Royal Ascot.

Australian Bittar said: ‘If you comply with the rules in your home jurisdiction, come to this country and are tested clear, you are free to race.

‘It is a regret to me that my home country takes such a dim view of athletes taking anabolic steroids but think it is OK for horses. That is something we will be putting on the agenda at the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.’
Jockey Eddie Ahern faces a minimum ban of five years if found guilty at a BHA corruption inquiry which starts today.



Sympathy: BHA chief executive Paul Bittar has sympathy with those who question whether horses from other countries who question whether horses from other countries who have tested positive for steroids should be banned

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