UAE: MBRs Scandal at Godolphin

The news of a major drugs scandal at Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (MBR)’s Godolphin stable is highly embarrassing for the ruler, who prides himself on a hands-on approach to his horses. On 22 April, Godolphin issued a statement saying trainer Mahmood Al-Zarooni would attend a British Horseracing Authority (BHA) disciplinary hearing after “serious irregularities were found in samples taken from horses in his care at Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket”. The BHA said traces of anabolic steroids were discovered in 11 of 45 horses tested, including leading 1000 Guineas hope Certify (ethylestranol) and Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Opinion Poll (stanozolol).