Johnson Houghton caught up in morphine case
The Didcot handler has confirmed the three-year-old gelding Charlie Wells failed a drugs test after winning the 32Red Classified Stakes at Chepstow on June 23, after which he has been placed in two other races. She is mystified as to where the contaminated food was contained and has had all of her string tested as a precaution.
“I had all my horses tested, but they haven’t come up with the results yet,” said Johnson Houghton. “I don’t know which bit of feed it’s in, but hopefully we’ll get to the bottom of it, and hopefully it’s a one-off.”
Johnson Houghton admitted to using some products provided by animal feed manufacturer, Dodson & Horrell.
Earlier yesterday the company announced it was holding a full investigation into how possible component contamination could have occurred after Estimate, owned by Queen Elizabeth, also tested positive for morphine.
Initial indications are that the positive test taken from the 2013 Ascot Gold Cup winner resulted from the consumption of a contaminated feed product.
Dodson & Horrell, horse food manufacturer to Queen Elizabeth since 2006, identified Alfalfa Oil Plus as the possible product which had been contaminated but that it may not have happened on its premises.
The company said it has launched a “thorough investigation” with an unnamed supplier of the product.
Dodson & Horrell believes contamination could have come from poppy seeds that occur naturally in the environment.
A statement issued on behalf of Dodson & Horrell read: “Preliminary investigations suggest that any contamination of this component product did not occur at Dodson & Horrell’s site. The investigation is currently centring on Dodson & Horrell’s supplier.
“Dodson & Horrell has recalled batch numbers week 20-28 of Alfalfa Oil Plus as a precautionary measure, in accordance with our procedures and NOPS (naturally occurring prohibited substances) protocol.
“No positive test results have been recorded in any other Dodson & Horrell product currently in the market.
“From information currently available to us, it appears that any contamination may have come from poppy seeds that occur naturally in the environment. Please note this does not affect the welfare of the animal.
“Investigations are ongoing through the official and correct channels.
“Information will be shared by Dodson & Horrell as it becomes available.”
The British Horseracing Authority announced last week that five horses under the care of various trainers have been reported to show the presence of morphine in their ’A’ samples.
“Once all processes have been completed, the cases will be put before a disciplinary panel who will decide what action, if any, should be taken,” said a BHA statement last Thursday.
“This may include the disqualification of the horses in question from the relevant races.”
Lambourn trainer Charlie Hills is reportedly one of the other trainers who has had a horse test positive for morphine.
* Brown Panther will bypass Saturday’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in favour of defending his Artemis Goodwood Cup crown next week.
Tom Dascombe’s stable star was seventh in the middle-distance midsummer showpiece, sponsored by Qipco British Champions Series, two years ago but is better known as a stayer. The six-year-old has already won two major prizes over further than a mile and a half this season, the Ormonde and Henry II Stakes, as well as finishing fourth in the Gold Cup at the Royal meeting.
