Gibbons facing cocaine charge after switching sample at Kempton

Graham Gibbons, who has not ridden since December last year after he was alleged to have tried to present another jockey's urine sample as his own, has tested positive for cocaine.

The details emerged on Wednesday when the BHA announced Gibbons would face a disciplinary inquiry in London on Thursday.

He is charged with testing positive for a banned substance after his urine sample was found to contain benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, and conduct prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct and/or good reputation of horseracing over his actions in attempting to use another jockey's sample.

Kempton incident

Gibbons was reported to the stewards at Kempton last year after he was alleged to have tried to substitute his sample with one from Callum Shepherd. Gibbons stood himself down indefinitely following the incident at Kempton and has not renewed his licence. Shepherd faces no charges.

Gibbons could face a suspension of at least six months, with riders who test positive for cocaine receiving sentences at the top of the range of one to six months for a first offence, if found guilty. The penalty for a disrepute offence ranges from a fine to three-year suspension.

Swift cocaine case

The disciplinary panel, which will be chaired by Stuart Morrison, is also likely to suspend former jockey Dale Swift, who has tested positive for cocaine for the second time in two years.

Swift had his licence withdrawn in April after failing to explain why he missed a ride and subsequently announced he was quitting the saddle because weight problems had left him feeling miserable and depressed.

The BHA confirmed he also gave a urine sample at Southwell in March that tested positive for benzoylecgonine.

The 2011 Ebor-winning jockey was banned for six months in 2015 after failing a similar test. The penalty range for a second offence within 24 months is a six-month to two-year suspension.

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