The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has delayed the introduction of its zero tolerance policy on anabolic steroids by three months, pushing the start date from January 1 to March 2015. The delay is a setback for outgoing chief executive Paul Bittar, who prioritised drug policy following scandals involving trainers Mahmood Al Zarooni and Gerard Butler last year.
A BHA spokesman denied that releasing the news on the busy Friday before Christmas was an attempt to bury bad news. The authority was forced to act after pressure from trainers and owners seeking clarity on responsibility if a horse tests positive. Under current rules, a trainer is responsible for a horse in his stable, while the owner is liable in other cases. The grey area of horses being transferred between the two has yet to be resolved despite six months of consultation.
Jamie Stier, BHA Director of Raceday Operation and Regulation, said: 'This is a complex issue. While we are disappointed not to be in a position to launch on January 1, I have no doubt we are doing the right thing in not trying to rush its introduction.' The BHA has committed to out-of-training testing as part of the new rules.
In other racing news, trainer Paul Nicholls indicated that Ptit Zig is more likely to target the JLT Novices' Chase at Cheltenham rather than the Arkle Trophy, after the horse won by nine lengths at Ascot. Nicky Henderson's L'Ami Serge won the Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle, while his Ma Filleule will aim for the new Mares' Chase at Doncaster on December 29, missing the King George VI Chase at Kempton. Nigel Twiston-Davies' Double Ross targets the King George, but stablemate The New One will skip the Christmas Hurdle to run at Haydock's Champion Hurdle Trial on January 17.
