Henderson rap has trainers sweating
Saturday July 04 2009
NICKY HENDERSON's record £40,000 fine and three-month ban from making entries -- for administering a prohibited substance to the Queen's horse Moonlit Path at Huntingdon in February -- is likely to send shudders down the spines of all trainers.
In a 37-point summary of their findings, the disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority set out their reasons for finding Henderson guilty of a breach of Rule 200, the one charge he fought at last week's hearing. He admitted the other three.
The panel were satisfied that the paramount motive behind Henderson's use of tranexamic acid, an anti-bleeding drug, was to assist post-race recovery from a possible bleed. "But because of the very nature of the drug in question and his (Henderson's) knowledge of it, (the BHA panel found) he also intended to affect performance, and knew it could affect performance. That was an incidental purpose, however."
Henderson had clearly argued that he permitted the use of the drug for welfare purposes, but the panel pointed out that the trainer had not taken up the option open to him, in that the BHA veterinary officer can give special dispensation.
Yesterday, Henderson, through public relations consultant (and owner) Piers Pottinger, issued the following statement: "Even though this seems a harsh sentence, we accept the findings. Although the medication should not have been administered, I can only reiterate, as the panel has accepted, that it was only given in the interest of the welfare of Moonlit Path."
Just why the BHA tested this particular horse after such an inconspicuous performance, remains a mystery.
The BHA denies the case had anything to do with its hotline, set up for anonymous tip-offs, but Henderson must surely be inquiring internally at Seven Barrows, and this is where all trainers must be feeling the pressure.
The penalties handed to Henderson are heavy. Pointing out that the three months involves his most inactive period is completely irrelevant. It is a serious disruption to his training business, and there will be owners who choose to go elsewhere because of the suspension.
Nearly all trainers rely almost entirely on vets to guide them through the minefields that involve drugs, be they permissible or outlawed.
For that reason, trainers choose a vet they know, respect and trust. But at the very end of the road, the trainer holding the licence carries full responsibility. Few will forget that in a hurry. (© Daily Telegraph, London)
- J A McGrath
