On 14 August 2014, HRSA Stewards conducted an inquiry into reports from the Racing Analytical Services Ltd that a urine sample taken from KING GALLEON following its trial at Globe Derby on Sunday 15 June 2014, contained upon analysis DEXAMETHASONE. Mr. Forby pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 190(1), (2) & (4) in that as the trainer he presented KING GALLEON to trial not free of a prohibited substance. Further Mr. Forby was found guilty of a charge under Rule 196A(1) in that he administered a prohibited substance to KING GALLEON two days prior to its trial. Mr. Forby was disqualified for 9 months.
Mr. Forby lodged an appeal against penalty and was not granted a stay of proceedings.
At the appeal on 2 October 2014, stewards argued in support of the penalty as the drug was administered for the purpose of assisting KING GALLEONS performance and to ensure it was able to requalify after having been stood down from racing at its previous race start. Further stewards argued that trial results are used by the betting public to make decision about wagers in the future and any horse that trials not free of a prohibited substance results in the public being misled about the horses’ performance in that trial.
The determination of the Racing Appeals Tribunal is the appeal is dismissed. S. Forby’s disqualification concludes 14 May 2015.
