Godolphin in 'shock' as trainer Mahmood al-Zarooni admits steroid use

Trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni (Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire)

The Classic-winning Godolphin trainer Mahmood al-Zarooni is to face a British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel hearing after samples taken from 11 horses in his care in Newmarket were found to contain traces of anabolic steroids. The horses include Certify, the winter favourite for the 1,000 Guineas, who must now miss the race.

Zarooni, who won the St Leger at Doncaster last year with Encke, as well as the Dubai World Cup with Monterosso, told the Godolphin website yesterday he had made a "catastrophic error".

The trainer said: "I deeply regret what has happened. I have made a catastrophic error. Because the horses involved were not racing at the time, I did not realise that what I was doing was in breach of the rules of racing. I can only apologise for the damage this will cause to Godolphin and to racing generally."

Godolphin, whose principal owner is Sheikh Mohammed, stated: "Following an inspection of Zarooni's stable by officials from the BHA, traces of prohibited substances were discovered in a number of the horses tested, including Certify. The BHA has advised that, as a result, the filly will not be allowed to take part in the Qipco 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket next month. Zarooni has admitted he was responsible for the administration of the prohibited substances."

Godolphin's racing manager, Simon Crisford, said: "This is a dark day for Godolphin. We are all shocked by what has happened. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed was absolutely appalled when he was told and this is completely unacceptable to him. We will await the outcome of the BHA inquiry before taking any further internal action. Sheikh Mohammed has instructed me to begin an urgent review of all of our procedures and controls. That is already under way and we will take advice from the BHA in completing it."

The BHA said that on 9 April this year, samples were obtained from 45 horses trained by Zarooni at Moulton Paddocks Stables and that yesterday it had received written advice from the Horseracing Forensic Laboratory that 11 of the samples had present in them prohibited substances.

Certify, unbeaten in four starts, including the Group One Fillies' Mile at Newmarket in September, was one of the seven horses whose sample tested positive for ethylestranol. Last year's Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Opinion Poll was one of four horses testing positive for stanozolol. Adam Brickell, the director of integrity, legal and risk for the BHA, said: "Ethylestranol and stanozolol are anabolic steroids and therefore prohibited substances under British rules of racing, at any time – either in training or racing. Mahmood al-Zarooni has been advised of the analysts' findings and has been visited by an investigating officer.

"A disciplinary panel inquiry into the analysts' findings will take place at the first available opportunity. The horses which have produced positive tests will also not be permitted to race with immediate effect and for an extended period of time."