Horse Racing: Meeznah disqualified after failing the dope test
Meeznah was the second place finisher in the Group I Investec Oaks that kicked off at Epsom on the 4th of June, under the care of trainer David Lanigan. Lanigan was demanded by the British Horse Racing Authority after his horse Meeznah was tested
positive for the banned chemical acepromazine on the 25th of November.
It is very unfortunate that the filly could not retain her position in the Oaks despite her struggled second finish against Snow Fairy in the meet. Meanwhile Meeznah was officially disqualified, her trainer Lanigan was also fined for 750 pounds on Thursday
morning.
This news took the owners of the colt, Saif Ali and Saeed Altayer, aback and they were utterly disappointed at the disciplinary action of the BHA. Nonetheless, they decided to support their trainer and back in this rough time. The racing manager Bruce Raymond
was also very upset over the incident since this was one of the most spectacular performances of Meeznah’s racing career. She was ridden by jockey Ted Durcan in the Oaks who was more than satisfied when his horse finished second to the champion Snow Fairy,
little did he know that a positive urine test seven months later would lead to her disqualification.
The spokesperson of her owners was quoted as saying, “She ran a fine race at Epsom and for a moment I thought she was going to win. They had gone fast early in the race and down the home straight she was still on the bridle, while the others were being pushed
along.”
Raymond owed an explanation to the duo and he was reported as saying, “Obviosuly we knew about this for some time and it was inevitable. It has to go through the correct procedures and we’re obviously disappointed she has lost the second place.”
He went on to say, “The inquiry was very thorough and every avenue was exhausted as to how it (the banned chemical) has got in there. They couldn’t find any fault with David’s table management but somehow it has ended up in her blood stream.”
He further added, “The good thing is they can’t attach any blame to anyone and we will be giving David our full support, and will continue to support him. Meeznah stays in training as a four year old and we’re hopeful she can redeem herself.”
After what Bruce Raymond said while talking to the correspondents of the Racingpost, Mark Edmondson, the solicitor of the accused trainer said, “The BHA panel found that David Lanigan’s procedures are almost near perfect – he could not have done any more.
The amount found in her blood stream will never be known because the laboratories analysing the A and B samples do not tell the quantity, however it must have a minute amount.”
Edmondson tried his best to clear David’s position and to prove him innocent for the discovery of the banned chemical as he also said, “David is deeply distressed, as you would expect, and is grateful for his owner’s indication that they will be standing
by him. He has never experienced anything like this and does not want to go through anything like this again. He is, however grateful to the British Horse Racing Authority panel for giving him a fair and sympathetic hearing.”
David Lanigan began his career in the racing industry as an assistant to Henry Cecil, and it has been three years since he has been working as a licensed Newmarket trainer. Sports analysts have their doubts about David continuing to train the disqualified
filly during her 2011 racing season as a four year old racehorse.
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