All the Queen's Horses

[my miss storm cat]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/hor...se-Racing.html

Nicky Henderson charged over test failure of Queen's horse

Nicky Henderson has been summoned to appear before the British Horseracing Authority's disciplinary committee in June after a horse belonging to the Queen failed a dope test.

By Marcus Armytage
Last Updated: 9:54AM BST 08 May 2009


Hot Water: Nicky Henderson has been called to explain how a horse owned by the Queen failed a dope test at Huntingdon Photo: PA After his best season, it will come as a major embarrassment to the Lambourn trainer.

The horse, Moonlit Path, finished sixth at 16-1 on her racecourse debut at Huntingdon, on Feb 19. The Queen's mare has tested positive to the presence of tranexamic acid, a prohibited substance.
The drug is used in humans, under the name of Cyclokapron, to treat or prevent bleeding and is a permitted raceday medication in some states in America to prevent horses breaking blood vessels.

Henderson has been charged with a breach of Rule 53 and Rule 200 in that he "allowed or caused to be administered, or connived at the administration of tranexamic acid with the intention of affecting her raceday performance."

In a statement Henderson said: "Unfortunately Moonlit Path tested positive for a prohibited substance. The substance concerned was administered by my vet entirely in the interests of the horse's welfare, which is always paramount. There was no intention to enhance performance and it is worth pointing out that we won the race in question with the odds-on Ravello Bay."

Though the most stringent penalty for a severe breach of these rules is a year's suspension, a stiff fine would appear to be the most likely outcome.