Drug users working in racing stables are becoming a problem worldwide, because they come into contact with horses in their care, and the substances show up in urine samples taken from their runners by assigned veterinary officials on race days.
The problem is, trainers and their management staff are not always able to identify potential suspects – normally grooms – because they hide their use (or abuse) so well that nobody suspects wrongdoing.
It is evident that compulsory drug tests may have to be performed on workers to eliminate this problem, which taints the industry. Drug abuse is not unique to racing at all – it is rife in all sectors of the economy – but it presents further ammunition for those who are plotting racing’s downfall.
The latest incident involved a handler at the stables of top-ranked UK trainers, John and Thady Gosden. The Gosdens have been fined £3,000 after two of their horses tested positive for the banned substance ketamine last summer.
The Racing Post reported that the breaches were found to be the result of cross-contamination from a female staff member who was a recreational user of the drug. In a statement, the Gosdens said they “remain committed to the highest standards of care and integrity in their operations and are taking every possible step to avoid any recurrence”.
The BHA conducted out-of-competition testing at Clarehaven in July and August last year after Zilfee, a half-sister to Enable, and Morophore produced positive post-race samples for ketamine.
Ketamine is legally used in medicine but is also tightly controlled due to its potential for recreational use and dissociative effects. Ketamine is used as a recreational drug for its hallucinogenic and dissociative effects. When used recreationally, it is found both in crystalline powder and liquid form, and is often referred to by users as “Ket”, “Special K” (not the Kelloggs Corn flake cereal version) or simply “K”.
Gosden’s female staff member admitted to taking ketamine three times a week when not working. She looked after Morrophore, while her kitbag was used on the day Zilfee tested positive. She denied direct administration, but believed cross-contamination was possible as she was “not always washing her hands before coming to work”.
The disciplinary panel found the Gosdens had no knowledge of ketamine being administered, while the staff member voluntarily left the yard last August. A statement from their solicitor Dutton Gregory said: “The horses tested positive for a minute trace amount of ketamine, but it is important that the context of this matter is properly understood. The source of the contamination was a former member of stable staff who had been using ketamine recreationally.
“Prior to this incident, Clarehaven Stables already maintained strict protocols around contamination and welfare. These have since been reviewed and strengthened further. While no system can guarantee complete prevention in every circumstance, Mr John Gosden and Mr Thady Gosden remain committed to the highest standards of care and integrity in their operations and are taking every possible step to avoid any recurrence.”
