Godolphin steroids: It's OK though, he didn't realize they were banned

[pointman]

Originally Posted by PatCummings

Statement from Sheikh Mohammed via Godolphin.com

http://www.godolphin.com/news/latest...toum-Statement

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued the following statement:

"I was appalled and angered to learn that one of our stables in Newmarket has violated Godolphin's ethical standards and the rules of British racing. 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. Godolphin is fully cooperating with the British Horseracing Authority to get to the bottom of this matter and take any appropriate disciplinary action. I have ordered the Godolphin management to undertake an immediate review of our internal procedures and controls to ensure to prevent any reoccurrence of this type of activity in any stables of mine. We will be locking down the Moulton Paddocks stables with immediate effect, and I have instructed that I want a full round of blood samples, and dope testing done on every single horse on that premises. I can assure the racing public that 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. I have worked hard to ensure that Godolphin deserves its reputation for integrity and sportsmanship, and I have reiterated to all Godolphin employees that I will not tolerate this type of behaviour."

Sure sounds like someone who is taking great pains to convince people he had no idea what Al Zarooni was doing and distance himself from the scandal. How convenient for him that he has the financial resources to test all of his horses. But should anyone really be convinced that testing that he is paying for and controlling are really accurate?

[my miss storm cat]

For all you doubters they are SOOO not full of $hit in Dubai that they didn't even bother with a city sewage system.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pQdj...layer_embedded

[Cannon Shell]

Godolphin has private vets that treat their horses, everything is done in-house. So my first question would be where did the drugs come from? Did the vets order them legally or were they obtained via shady circumstances? While the trainer says that he did not know that anabolic steroids were illegal for use in England on racehorses at anytime (highly questionable claim) surely the vets know the rules especially considering someone seemed to know what the safe withdrawal times were.

This trainers yard was spot checked by the BHA because of two violations last year though relatively minor compared to this. Surely the Sheikh and the senior racing advisers knew of these violations. Wouldn't the overhaul of the procedures and its controls been taken on when this happened last year?

While it is just speculation on my part I'd guess that horses in Suroors' yard will be checked at a later date but right now the BHA could be afraid of what they might find.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Godolphin has private vets that treat their horses, everything is done in-house. So my first question would be where did the drugs come from? Did the vets order them legally or were they obtained via shady circumstances? While the trainer says that he did not know that anabolic steroids were illegal for use in England on racehorses at anytime (highly questionable claim) surely the vets know the rules especially considering someone seemed to know what the safe withdrawal times were.

This trainers yard was spot checked by the BHA because of two violations last year though relatively minor compared to this. Surely the Sheikh and the senior racing advisers knew of these violations. Wouldn't the overhaul of the procedures and its controls been taken on when this happened last year?

While it is just speculation on my part I'd guess that horses in Suroors' yard will be checked at a later date but right now the BHA could be afraid of what they might find.

definitely more to the story. seems the trainer will fall on his sword, but no way he was the only one involved. how could he be?

[PatCummings]

The 15 horses to have been treated with steroids banned from competition for six months, according to reports out of England just now.