BHA impressed by Scott records despite Thirsk drug test failure

Newmarket trainer George Scott was on Thursday fined £500 and his horse Imperial State disqualified from a win at Thirsk last summer after testing positive for a drug usually administered to humans.

A urine sample taken after the victory last July was found to contain the prohibited substance atenolol, a cardioselective beta blocker that affects the heart, lowering blood pressure by reducing heart rate and the use of which for horses would be unusual.

Scott and his vet denied using the substance and no record was found of its administration either at his yard or at the racecourse after an extensive investigation by BHA staff.

But as the disciplinary panel hearing was unable to establish the source of the substance it said it could not therefore be satisfied that the administration of the substance was accidental and that the trainer had taken all reasonable care.

The hearing was told Scott had extensive procedures and controls in place in his yard that had impressed the BHA senior investigation officer who had stated his records were among the best and most proficient that he had seen in 20 years.

Nevertheless Imperial State was disqualified and the race awarded to the Micky Hammond-trained Quoteline Direct.