Sheikh Mohammed in drug investigation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed al-Maktoum do Dubai, one of the biggest names in horse racing globally, has been embarrassed by a doping scandal involving a horse he has ridden in endurance races in Bahrain and Dubai.
The horse, Tahhan, which the Sheikh owns, was found to have two banned substances in its system after testing by the Sheikh's own staff.
On being told of the results, the Sheikh informed the International Equestrian Federation, which has launched an investigation. He began his own internal inquiry and has waived his right to have back-up samples tested. In the meantime his wife, Princess Haya of Jordan, who is president of the FEI, said she will defer the presidency on “all matters related to this subject”.
Tahhan tested positive for guanabenz, used to treat hypertension, and a metabolite of stanozolol, an anabolic steroid. Sheikh Mohammed reportedly withdrew from a race at the weekend, in which he had already established a substantial lead, on being advised of the positive tests.
The case will be studied by an FEI tribunal which has the power to impose a suspension. Endurance racing, though unknown in Britain, is popular in the Emirates.
The news comes as the Sheikh's string of horses, which race under the Godolphin banner, returns to Newmarket this week to be trained for the British Flat racing season. Princess Haya, who has led a campaign to eliminate doping from equestrian sports, owned last year's Derby winner, New Approach.