Horse disqualified from Southwell win after bizarrely testing positive for HAIR LOSS medication | The Sun
A HORSE has had a win taken away – after testing positive for a potent HAIR LOSS medication.
Presenting Pete was disqualified in bizarre fashion after a prohibited substance was discovered in his post-race sample after he won at Southwell on June 20.
The John Mackie-trained five-year-old had minoxidil in his system – commonly used in treating alopecia.
He was routine tested after he won a 2m4f handicap hurdle earlier in the summer and returned the positive immediately.
It was a head-scratcher for veteran trainer Mackie, but an investigation was launched and the source of the contamination was discovered to be the horse's owner.
On the morning of the race, he had visited Presenting Pete at Mackie's stable and spent time nuzzling with him and feeding him carrots.
OFFERS OF THE DAY
William Hill: Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as cash if it loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 on Racing and get £30 in free bets –CLAIM HERE
Ladbrokes: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
Coral: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 13.04.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook. Further terms apply. Begambleaware.org
Betfair – Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any market at odds of min 2.0 (EVS) and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using cards will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: New customers only. First single & e/w bet only odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets only redeemable on horse racing. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further t&cs apply.
Ladbrokes: 18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £/€5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Coral: Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org
He had been using a topical scalp treatment – and accidentally passed it on to his horse.
Mackie, who trains a small string of horses near Derby, was cautioned by racing chiefs after the investigation.
But they were satisfied there was nothing malicious in the positive test – and accepted the slightly embarrassing explanation.
A statement from the BHA disciplinary panel said: "The (disciplinary panel) chairman noted that minoxidil was a drug used to lower blood pressure and used topically in the treatment of alopecia.
Most read in Horse Racing
Christophe Soumillon AXED by boss after elbowing Rossa Ryan off his horse
This 20-1 shot has pace to burn and can mount serious challenge at Leicester
My NAP can give King Charles his first winner in famous royal silks
Horrific moment jockey, 27, has a stroke mid-race leaving her blind in one eye
"It has no obvious use for horses and it was confirmed that Presenting Pete’s owner did use a preparation containing minoxidil and had fed the horse carrots on the day of the race.
"He also noted that there were reasonable precautions in place at the yard."
It is not the first time a racehorse has tested positive for an unexpected substance because of contamination.
Several years ago, a horse tested positive for COCAINE after being in contact with a stable hand who had used the drug.
And there have been several positive tests for the highly toxic arsenic in recent years – one which was recently blamed by trainer Richard Hannon on seaweed.
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
Source: Read Full Article