Racing: Japan's Deep Impact fails dope test

Japanese superhorse Deep Impact has failed the routine dope test taken after he finished third behind Rail Link and Pride in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Although there is no question that the administration of the drug found in his system was anything but accidental the four-year-old will be disqualified in due course and Hurricane Run moved up a place.

Deep Impact was being treated for a respiratory problem while in Chantilly for a month before the race and had a drug containing a banned substance prescribed by a French vet.

"The treatment was administered by the assistant trainer or a stable lad, not the vet," said Louis Romanet of the French racing authority France Galop, "and it appears that a mistake was made over the drug's clearance time." Deep Impact is due to retire to stud at the end of the season.