Canada: A thoroughbred trainer in Ontario has been suspended for 20 years and fined $100,000 after two of his horses tested positive for a banned substance.
Robert Gerl, from Palgrave, Ontario, was banned with immediate effect by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) after the non-therapeutic drug ostarine (enobosarm), which promotes muscle growth, was detected in post-race blood samples taken from the horses Arafat and Komunist.
The colt Arafat, a son of War On Gaza, was having his third start when finishing second and the gelding Komunist his tenth when fourth on separate days at Woodbine in October last year after which they were selected for testing.
Tom Mungham, AGCO CEO and registrar, said: “The administration of prohibited substances, especially non-therapeutic drugs, have no business in the sport, and positive test results can lead to severe consequences for licence holders.”
Gerl, who has trained 65 winners from 1,132 starters, has the right to appeal. Woodbine is easily Canada's foremost venue, home to the nation's most prestigious race, the Canadian International, and Canada's senior Classic, the Queen's Plate.
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