Racing:Meeznah has been disqualified from the Investec Oaks after testing positive for a banned substance. The David Lanigan-trained three-year-old finished a neck second behind Snow Fairy in the Epsom Classic on June 4th, but that has now been stricken from the record.
A British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel officially disqualified Meeznah on Thursday morning after a post-race urine sample taken from the filly contained a metabolite of acepromazine (ACP), which is a prohibited substance.
Remember When finished third in the Oaks but has been promoted into second place, with the fourth home, Rumoush, ascending into third place. Lanigan was fined £750 following Meeznah's disqualification, but owners Saif Ali and Saeed Altayer have pledged to stand by the fledgling Newmarket-based handler.
"Obviously we knew about this for some time and it was inevitable," said Bruce Raymond, racing manager for Ali and Altayer. "It had to go through the correct procedures and we're obviously disappointed she has lost second place. The inquiry was very thorough and every avenue was exhausted as to how it (ACP) has got in there.
"They (the BHA disciplinary panel) couldn't find any fault with David's stable management but somehow it has ended up in her blood stream. The good thing is they can't attach any blame to anyone and we will be giving David our full support, and will continue to support him. Meeznah stays in training as a four-year-old and we're hopeful she can redeem herself."
Lanigan's solicitor, Mark Edmondson, added: "The BHA panel found that David Lanigan's procedures were immaculate, and have stood the scrutiny of the BHA investigating officers. His procedures are almost near perfect - he couldn't have done any more.
"The amount found in her blood stream will never be known because the laboratories analysing the A and B samples do not tell the quantity, however it must have been a minute amount. David is deeply distressed, as you'd expect, and is grateful for his owners' indication that they will be standing by him.
"He has never experienced anything like this and does not want to go through anything like this again. He is, however, grateful to the BHA panel for giving him a fair and sympathetic hearing."