John Gosden takes a swipe at BBC 'negativity' in drugs row

John Gosden has taken a swipe at the BBC for its "negative" stance towards horseracing the day after he accused the broadcaster of putting a stain on his character in its reporting of his filly Franconia's positive test for ketamine.

The multiple British champion Flat trainer appeared on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Friday morning to discuss the BHA case concerning the disqualification of Franconia from a Listed race she won at Newbury last year following the positive test.

When asked by BBC presenter Garry Richardson whether he felt there is a problem with drugs in racing, Gosden said: "I think there's a problem in this country and many others and I think the use of recreational drugs is endemic.

"Racing is a huge multi-billion-pound industry that is very well regulated and a big subscriber to the Treasury. The horseracing here is of the highest standard in the world and is something to be proud of, it's a good part of UK plc, and to that extent I don't understand why the BBC tend to want to be negative about it all the time, I'm afraid."

Richardson responded by saying the BBC reported the positive test "exactly the same as we would with any sports man, woman or anything else" and that he was grateful for Gosden explaining why it had happened.

John Gosden fined after ketamine used by groom led to Listed winner failing test

At a BHA hearing on Thursday, the disciplinary panel ruled that Franconia's positive ketamine test probably derived from recreational use of the drug by her groom.

Gosden was fined £500 by the panel, which decided he had taken precautions to avoid such an eventuality but could conceivably have done more.

During the hearing, Gosden deplored a report on Thursday's Today programme on BBC Radio 4, speculating his licence might be suspended on the basis only of the fact that ketamine had been found in Franconia.

"Due to the recent case of bullying and the Bryony Frost issue, now racing has become the next scapegoat," Gosden told the panel. "My name was up as having given ketamine to a racehorse, champion trainer looking at a potentially lengthy ban, it was very dramatic stuff on Radio 4.

"Everybody who won't bother to read the result of this inquiry will all assume that I go round giving ketamine to horses to make them win races. I can tell you it was pretty shocking to listen to. It puts a stain on your character."

Read more on BHA cases:

BHA handling second case about weighing room behaviour towards a female jockey

Hollie Doyle misses Cadran ride on Trueshan after panel upholds seven-day ban

Six-month suspension for Benoit de la Sayette could see jockey return next month

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