East Cape trainer Kelly Mitchley (pictured) has been given a R250,000 fine for a positive test for O-Desmethyltramadol.
However, positives for this drug in horseracing are problematic because it is possible for it to appear in racehorses due to indirect transfer from human grooms or stable staff who have been taking the opioid analgesic tramadol, which metabolizes into O-Desmethyltramadol.
Click here to read the NHA press release on the positive
O-Desmethyltramadol is classified as a Class-2 prohibited substance under NHA rules and is banned because it:
- it can alter pain perception, potentially allowing a horse to perform despite injury or discomfort.
- it can enhance performance by masking pain.
- it poses safety and welfare risks due to its powerful opioid effects.
Glen Kotzen and Richard Hannon are two trainers who were shocked to receive a positive for this drug and traced it to staff usage of tramadol as is described in this article: Click here to read the article
Mitchley offered a comprehensive explanation of her case too:
Click here to read Mitchley’s explanation
Trainers and jockeys are also becoming mystified by the sizes of the fines. A class 2 first offense used to have a guideline punishment of R69,000 to R115,000. The guideline was changed recently to R250,000 plus a six month suspension. That is more than just a slight increase.
Consistency of fine amounts is also questionable.
In 2023 a trainer was fined R125,00 for a substance called Mephentermine, which is not contained in any local pharmaceutical product registered for use in human or veterinary medicine, but in the rules of the IFHA (International Federation Of Horeracing Authorities), of which South Africa is a member, it is a completely banned substance, which is the equivalent in the NHA rules of a class 1 substance i.e. a forbidden substance.
The NHA guidelines for penalties for the first offense on a class 1 substance are . currently a one year suspension + a minimum fine of R500 000.
However, Mitchley’s fine for a class 2 substance was double the amount of the fine for a forbidden substance.
