John Butler suspended for three months after being found to have misled BHA

Trainer John Butler has had his licence suspended for three months following a disciplinary hearing on Thursday, which found he had misled officials relating to an injury sustained by a horse in his care.

Newmarket-based Butler, who has saddled 32 winners and collected over £200,000 in prize-money this year, was also fined £1,000 for having incomplete medical records.

The hearing revolved around the withdrawal of National Anthem before a 6f novice stakes at Redcar last month on veterinary advice. The stewards at the course forwarded their evidence to the BHA after speaking with the veterinary officer, the veterinary surgeon, an equine welfare and integrity officer, the groom, the box driver and the owner's representative.

Trainer John Butler's career details

The disciplinary panel concluded Butler had breached rule (A) 31.2 believing he had misled, or endeavoured to mislead, investigating officers into when he learned of an injury to the three-year-old, who is owned by football agent Mark McKay.

He was also fined for breaching rule (C) 13.1 by not keeping medical records of the antibiotics administered to the horse.

Contacted by the Racing Post on Thursday, Butler, who has been given a stay of judgement for seven days while an appeal is considered, declined to comment until he had spoken with his owners. His suspension is scheduled to start on December 6.

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