Trainer by Corine Barande-Barbe gravely concerned about Cirrus Des Aigles’s drug test
Cirrus Des Aigles, trained by Corine Barande-Barbe, finished second to A. Fabre trained, Golden Lilac in the Group 1 Prix D'Ispahan at Longchamp on 27thMay, 2012 over 1 mile and 1 furlong.
The six-year-old delivered a brilliant race, but after the race, the bay gelding tested positive for an anti-inflammatory drug.
The trainer was shocked by this and the “massive” dose that was given to the horse. He is convinced that no one at the yard is responsible for such an act.
The handler of the Jean-Claude-Alain Dupouy owned runner was firm on his stance, and believed that this is the doing of someone from outside as he commented to the press that:
“I went to the police on Saturday to complain against it. I'm very surprised and very afraid because if someone can get to the horse they could kill him. If it happens to us, it can happen to anybody.”
The trainer speculated that this could have as a result of jealousy, he emphasised that none of his people were responsible for this and he has nothing to hide.
Corine Barande-Barbe is concerned about the impact this incident will have on the career of his runner.
All his concerns are legitimate, since the gelding cannot afford to be in the headlines for all the wrong reasons at this point of his career. He further stated:
"Nobody would be stupid enough to give him something then - this horse doesn't need anything. He has been tested so many times he was always going to be tested this day as he was favourite.”
“If he had won by 10 lengths maybe you could say someone gave him something but not then.”
The connections of this horse are seriously concerned, and state that an enquiry should take place. Repeatedly the trainer stated that at Longchamp, several people have access to the stables, while horses are better protected in Ascot, Meydan, or Hong
Kong.
The trainer wants the issue resolved as soon as possible, so it doesn’t tarnish the reputation of Cirrus Des Aigles, who has claimed 15 victories in 43 starts, the most recent one at Longchamp, where he defeated, Giofra by, eight large lengths in the
Group 1 Prix Ganay in April, 2012.
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