NICKY'S NO WRONG 'UN

DRUG TEST - Moonlit Path failed a test for a rare anti-bleeding agent

He did not intend drugs to enhance Moonlit Path's performance

TRAINER - Nicky Henderson

09/05/2009

IF YOU had a poll among jumping folk to name the most trustworthy trainer in the sport, I'd wager Nicky Henderson would come out top.

So it is as surprising as it is embarrassing that Henderson faces British Horseracing Authority charges after Moonlit Path tested positive for the prohibited drug Cyklokapron.

The mare he trains for the Queen was found to have been given an anti-bleeding treatment when making her racecourse debut at Huntingdon in February.

The most serious charge he faces carries a penalty of a fine from £1,000 to £12,000 or a disqualification from one month to five years.

Henderson said: "The substance was administered by my vet entirely in the interests of the horse's welfare which is always paramount. There was no intention to enhance performance."

What almost certainly happened is Henderson's vet gave Moonlit Path the drug at the wrong time - and it was picked up. No substance whatsoever is allowed on the day of a race.

Having known Henderson for more than 20 years, it is simply inconceivable that he would agree to anything that involved breaking the rules.

It would not cross his mind to seek an illegal edge. He is not that type of man. In jumps horses 'bleeding' or bursting blood vessels is a common complaint usually occurring when racing, with blood getting in the airways.

So trainers are always chasing new methods of beating it. But Cyklokrapon is far from commonly used in the treatment of horses. There is very little published work on its equine use and therefore little idea about how long it takes for the drug to work through a horse's system.

The process of analysing samples from horses is fiendishly expensive and the more drugs you test for, the pricier it gets. So it is interesting the authorities analysed Moonlit Path for Cyklokapron. One can only conclude they suspected the drug was starting to be used in racing.

Being a born worrier and someone who places the greatest possible emphasis on integrity, Nicky has taken the whole saga to heart.

He enjoys a stainless reputation and will admit there was a veterinary cock-up on the administration of the drug for which he, as trainer, is accountable.

He can expect a hefty fine and bad publicity.But no sane racing fan will think any less of Nicky. The public has a good nose and can sniff out a wrong 'un.

They will continue to regard Henderson for what he is - a brilliant trainer and a man punters can trust.

Read Alastair Down in the Racing Post every week

Your comments

This article has 2 comments

I cannot see how the trainer can be directly held responsible. You let the vets with their expertise do their job and occasionally people make mistakes. It would be an injustice if Mr. Henderson is treated harshly for something which was not in his direct contol. Mr. Hederson is a man of great integrity and has given racing fans so much pleasure over the last two decades. - Colm

By colm g.. Posted May 10 2009 at 10:01 PM.

Well said, I am sure I speak for many racing fans when I say, I don't for one minute believe that Nicky has purposefully done wrong, He has a good many racing fans that will wish him well,He is a true gent in racing and has a great many supporters.

By janet.. Posted May 10 2009 at 5:51 PM.

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