Medina Spirit's owner claims Bob Baffert has been subject of a 'witch hunt'

Amr Zedan, owner of last year's disqualified Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, has launched a staunch defence of trainer Bob Baffert, who was suspended for 90 days and fined $7,500 by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission after the horse tested positive for banned raceday substance betamethasone after his Derby success.

Zedan, who teams up with Baffert with Country Grammer in Saturday's $20 million Saudi Cup, claimed his trainer has been the subject of a "witch hunt" by the authorities in the United States and still believes Medina Spirit was the rightful Derby winner.

Trainer and owner have launched an appeal against the ruling of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, which as things stand credit second-past-the-post Mandaloun, one of Country Grammer's Saudi Cup rivals on Saturday, as the 2021 Derby winner.

Speaking to members of the press in Riyadh on Friday, Zedan said: "I believe in due process and I believe there is an unjust, uncalled for witch hunt on Bob Baffert."

Talking about the intricate details of the positive test, he said: "Medina developed a fungal rash on his hind hip and we noticed that post Santa Anita Derby, and that's one of the reasons why he came in second to Rock Your World.

"We received our veterinarian's prescription and we've applied that all the way up to raceday, and little did we know that it contained betamethasone valerate.

"It was announced and we figured out it was the ointment and we were on a mission to prove there was no foul play and no violations."

Zedan was at pains to point out that the treatment given to Medina Spirit, who died during a workout in December, was in the form of an ointment – betamethasone valerate – rather than an injection – betamethasone acetate – and that the amount found in the horse's system – 21 picograms – was the equivalent of "three drops of water in three Olympic-sized swimming pools".

Betamethasone is a legal substance but one that is not permissible to be in a horse's system on raceday. Zedan said betamethasone has "absolutely no performance-enhancing composition whatsoever".

On the heartache of losing the Kentucky Derby, he said: "I was up on the highest mountain and was thrown off a cliff. Medina is a horse that I will forever cherish.

"We came into the race not expecting a whole lot, we were 12-1. I still have text messages from Bob, and Bob told me there was speed on the outside and we do have a chance, and we won.

Medina Spirit: first past the post in the Kentucky DerbyCredit: Benoit Photo

"Where we are right now is we are going through full due process. We have filed for a stay and have filed for an appeal in front of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. I have the highest respect for all and I believe that once our case has been objectively considered, we will prevail."

Heaping praise on Baffert, the owner said: "Bob Baffert is the best trainer in the world in my view. There are some professions that are more artistic than they are practical and Bob's a Picasso, it just comes natural. I saw that and knew immediately if you can team up with someone of that calibre, results will definitely follow."

Zedan, a Saudi national and board member of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, appeared confident of a bold bid from Country Grammer in the Saudi Cup (5.35), describing the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup winner as "a fighter" with similar qualities to Medina Spirit.

Read more international news:

'It's a bit grim' – Moore laments British prize-money as he targets Saudi riches

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'This is off the Richter scale' – Mullins excited for Princess Zoe Saudi bid

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