Racing: Trainer of drugged horse banned for two years

The Australian trainer Steve Wolfe has been suspended for two years for improperly administering a drug to the horse that collapsed and killed the brother of the Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Damien Oliver.

Jason Oliver, 33, was riding the two-year-old colt Savage Cabbage in a barrier trial at Perth's Belmont Park on 28 October when the horse broke its leg and collapsed on top of him. Oliver died the following day from head injuries.

An inquiry heard that Savage Cabbage had the banned substance phenylbutazone in its system. The drug is a commonly used anti-inflammatory for racehorses, but they are not allowed to compete, or trial, with the drug in their systems.

The West Australian Turf Club chief steward, John Zucal, said the trainer had been grossly negligent. He told Wolfe his offence warranted a three-year disqualification. "But the stewards have taken into account your co-operation and previous good record," he said.

Wolfe pleaded guilty to allowing Savage Cabbage to trial with a prohibited substance in its system. "Jason Oliver and I were close friends for 15 years," he said. "His death has had an effect worse than anything else in my life."