Doleuze hit by six-month ban

French jockey Olivier Doleuze was given a six-month worldwide ban after admitting to the Hong Kong Jockey Club that he had used cocaine prior to riding at Sha Tin last Sunday.

Doleuze tested positive to a prohibited substance after being asked to give a urine sample during Sunday’s meeting at Hong Kong’s major track.

The HKJC did not identify the substance, but said it would go to a second laboratory for validification.

The jockey had the right to nominate an outside analyst to examine the B sample of urine independently, but instead Doleuze went to the Jockey Club’s Happy Valley headquarters yesterday and admitted to chief steward Jamie Stier that he had used cocaine shortly before Sunday’s meeting.

Doleuze, who had ridden 19 winners this season, will not be free to race-ride again until October 16.

Moreover the jockey, who has won several French Classics, is considered most unlikely to be granted a licence to ride in Hong Kong again.