Ed Dunlop Calls for Rule Review After Suspended Disqualification Over Cocaine Metabolite in Horse's System
No wrongdoing suggested on part of trainer, but rules lead to one-year suspended disqualification.
Veteran trainer Ed Dunlop has expressed his hope for a review of the rules after the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) handed him a 12-month suspended disqualification. The penalty, which does not immediately prevent him from continuing his training activities, follows the discovery of a cocaine metabolite in a sample taken from one of his horses, Lucidity, after a race in 2023.
Lucidity, a filly who finished second in a Brighton handicap, was found to have the banned substance in her system during routine post-race testing. Despite the presence of the substance, the BHA did not accuse Dunlop of any wrongdoing. Dunlop, who has maintained a spotless record over his 30-year career in British racing, was nonetheless held accountable under strict liability rules.
Rory Mac Neice, representing Dunlop, argued for a reduced penalty, emphasizing that there was no evidence to suggest that the trainer was at fault. However, the independent disciplinary panel upheld the disqualification, citing the rules that mandate a positive test for a Category A substance, such as cocaine, must result in disqualification.
While Dunlop's disqualification is suspended—allowing him to continue training—he faces the possibility of the suspension being enforced if another breach occurs within the next year. Additionally, Lucidity has been disqualified from the Brighton race, and Dunlop has been fined £1,000.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Dunlop highlighted the prolonged nature of the investigation, which took over a year to conclude. "It's been hanging over our heads for over a year, and it's taken the BHA an awful long time to come to a conclusion," Dunlop said. He acknowledged the challenge of the situation, particularly given that the source of the substance remains unknown.
Dunlop also expressed his frustration with the lack of flexibility in the rules due to the classification of the drug involved. "I had no room for manoeuvre because of the class of the drug," he explained, before noting the impact on himself and his supportive owners.
In response to the situation, Dunlop plans to introduce random drug testing among his staff, a measure that is becoming more common in the industry. "It will certainly make us think more... It will change how we operate our business," he added.
As Dunlop looks to move past this challenging chapter, his call for a review of the rules highlights the need for a nuanced approach in cases where trainers face strict liability for substances found in their horses, especially when the source is uncertain.
