Striking Article: ran in eight races after undergoing a neurectomy

  PICTURE: Martin Lynch 

Johnson faces ban over breaches to welfare

HOWARD JOHNSON is facing a potentially lengthy ban from racing after the BHA charged him with running a horse that had been "de-nerved" and also administering anabolic steroids to three horses in his care.

Johnson will face a BHA hearing provisionally set for February 10 after admitting running Striking Article in eight races after the horse had undergone a neurectomy, the severing of nervous connection to the lower leg to cause numbness.

The neurectomy, which is banned on welfare grounds as it may cause horses to continue running through pain which they would normally feel, was discovered in a post mortem after Striking Article was put down after being injured in a claiming chase at Musselburgh in February last year.

The BHA has also charged Johnsonwith administering the prohibited steroid Laurabolin to three horses in his care, Whisky Magic, Mintaka Passand Montoya's Son.

All four horses are owned by Johnson's biggest patron Graham Wylie, who has had the likes of triple World Hurdle winner Inglis Drever and Arkle winner Tidal Bay trained by Johnson over jumps and Yorkshire Cup victor Percussionist and Norfolk Stakes winner South Central on the Flat.

Howard Johnson: possible ban

  PICTURE: Martin Lynch  

Johnson has been charged under Rule (C) 22 regarding the "duties and skills" of a trainer for the treatment of Striking Article.

Trainers who fall "below the acceptable standard" could receive a fine of up to £3,000 while a ban of up to a year could be handed to Johnson if the BHA find "neglect and very poor husbandry".

However, if Johnson is found guilty of the most serious category of "wilful neglect" he could be banned for up to ten years.

Johnson could face anything from a fine to a ban of three years for his three runners testing positive to prohibited substances (Rule (C) 55) and the same for breaching Rule (A) 30, acting in a manner prejudical to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of British horseracing.