Young banned following Strategic run

Trainer Laura Young has been disqualified for six months and fined £1,000 (€1,150) after the victory of Strategic Plan at Plumpton in March last year.

The horse tested positive for tranexamic acid after winning the Skyvegas.com £100 Welcome Bonus Selling Handicap Hurdle at 25-1 on March 23, 2009.

During the British Horseracing Authority investigation into that performance, it came to light that Young had deprived Strategic Plan of any water for 52 hours before the race in the hope it would minimise the prospects of him bleeding.

The source of the tranexamic acid has not been established but the BHA were content to fine Young £1,000 for that breach.

However, they viewed the welfare issues in a more serious light and after Young agreed to attend a course of re-education on equine husbandry, they decided to ban her for six months.

The disqualification officially began on April 23 and runs until October 22 inclusive.