Godolphin – one of the most popular horse-racing stables and training establishments in the world – has become the centre of a steroid drugs scandal.
Mahmood Al Zarooni, trainer at Moulton Paddocks in Newmarket, has been found guilty of using anabolic steroids in 15 of his horses at the famous stable, which was founded in 1992 by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
A total of 45 horses were tested for Ethylestrenol and Stanozolol, substances that are banned in the UK. Out of the 45 tested, 11 were found positive, while Al Zarooni later admitted to administering drugs to another four horses. All 15 animals have now been suspended for six months.
Having been told about the allegations, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum was said to be angered and issued a statement on the Godolphin website.
He said, "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."
While Mahmood Al Zarooni has been banned by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) for eight years, the Dubai ruler has insisted on further investigations into the doping scandal and ordered for all horses there to be individually tested, saying, "No horse will run from that yard this season until I have been absolutely assured by my team that the entire yard is completely clean".
Top-class horses are trained at Moulton Paddocks, which has a range of facilities including paddocks, gallops, and more. It also has its own fleet of horse boxes.
Photo © Levadiya via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence

Labels: British Horseracing Authority, drug, Dubai, Godolphin, horse boxes, horse-racing, Mahmood Al Zarooni, Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket, stables, steroid, training