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Varian Loses Two Listed Races Over Feed Contamination

The Roger Varian-trained fillies Angel Power (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Queen Daenerys (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) have been disqualified from listed wins at ParisLongchamp in September as a result of the well-documented Gain feed contamination saga that also saw Aidan O’Brien scratch his four runners from the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. France Galop has revealed that 12 horses tested positive for the prohibited substance Zilpaterol as a result of the feed contamination, but all the trainers involved-including Varian, who was the only overseas trainer affected-have been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Varian, who withdrew all his runners in the coming days when the situation came to light on Oct. 1, told Racing Post on Friday, “I am very disappointed for the owners of Angel Power [King Power Racing] and the owner of Queen Daenerys [HH Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa], that through no fault of our own these two horses were found to have traces of Zilpaterol in their system.

“From the very first days that we learned about this situation it was clear we were dealing with a contaminated feed scenario, one that I as a trainer had no prior knowledge of or reason to suspect might arise. I would like to thank Gain Equine Nutrition for the speed with which they made the industry and public aware of the situation. I am grateful to France Galop for recognising that no blame was attached to the trainers who were caught up in this unfortunate situation. And finally, I would like to thank King Power Racing and HH Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa for their understanding and support over the period of time since we first learned about the positive results.”

Zilpaterol is a synthetic substance that is used to promote weight gain in cattle, but that is unregistered in Europe. Martin Ryan, Head of GAIN Equine, said at the time the contamination came to light, “We apologise sincerely to our valued customers for the inconvenience caused by this incident and we are committed to promptly keeping you fully informed. A thorough investigation and trace back of all feed ingredient sources is underway as a matter of urgency to determine how this external contaminant could have found its way into some batches of our equine product.”

The other trainers involved with positives were David Cottin, Fabrice Chappet, Simone Broggi, Jean-Philippe Dubois and Jacques Ortet.

Angel Power has progressed to win the G3 Pride S. and the G2 Premio Lydia Tesio since taking the Sept. 3 Prix de Liancourt. Queen Daenerys, who like her stablemate was winning a black-type race for the first time in France in the Sept. 10 Prix Joubert, has not run since.

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Contaminated Feed Leads To Doping Violations; British Governing Bodies Instate Moratorium

Contaminated molasses was sent from South Africa to Ireland and the United Kingdom, where it was sent to several equine feed companies that used it in their feed production. The molasses, supplied by ED & F Man Ltd, contained Zilpaterol Hydrochloride. Zilpaterol Hydrochloride is considered a banned substance by the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) and the British Horseracing Authority.

Horses that ingested the feed made with contaminated molasses received positive drug tests. Zilpaterol Hydrochloride is a feed additive used in the United States; it is primarily used to promote weight gain in cattle. Zilpaterol isn't harmful to horses, but it isn't approved for use in Europe.

The BEF Board has instated a 14-day moratorium on Zilpaterol positives; any horse that tests for the substance will not be subject to any regulatory action for breaking the anti-doping rules if the positive is consistent with the contaminated feed. The British Horseracing Authority gave a seven-day moratorium for racing; any horse with a Zilpaterol positive will also not be subject to regulatory action, if the sample is consistent with feed contamination.

Elective testing of horses has shown that the contaminated feed clears the horse's system in four days; investigations are ongoing to confirm the withdrawal period.

Horses competing in competitions not regulated by the BEF or BHA are subject to the testing and rules of that governing body.

For a list of contaminated feed and more information, click here.

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GAIN Provides Update on Contaminant Investigation

After a weekend of intensive testing of GAIN’s equine feed ranges, batches and individual ingredients, progress has been made in the investigation into the presence of Zilpaterol in the contaminated feeds, the company announced late on Monday evening. The synthetic beta-agonist Zilpaterol, approved for use as a performance-enhancer in some beef production systems outside the EU, was found in some positive tests on horses that had consumed GAIN products in France last week. GAIN stressed that Zilpaterol has never formed part of any formulation in any GAIN animal nutrition ranges. They supply a large amount of trainers in Britain and Ireland.

GAIN said in a statement, “We have made significant progress in our investigation and are working closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), who are the regulatory body responsible for the feed sector in Ireland. Following consultation with DAFM, we have re-commenced equine feed production and will be in contact with our customers regarding resumption of feed supply.

“We continue to ask our equine customers to refrain from feeding their current stock of GAIN Equine products to their animals. We again apologise sincerely to our valued customers for the inconvenience caused by this incident and we are committed to promptly keeping you fully informed.”

France Galop tested all of the O’Brien Arc weekend runners on Friday, as they had also utilised GAIN products, with Aidan, Joseph and Donnach O’Brien eventually withdrawing all of their horses entered on Arc Sunday when those tests came back positive. Down Under, Racing Victoria has also conducted tests for Zilpaterol on Aidan and Joseph O’Brien’s horses. The results are pending.

The British Horseracing Authority issued advice to trainers who have used GAIN’s equine feed ranges on Tuesday. An elective testing system-carried out by the BHA’s analytical laboratory, LGC– has been set up by the BHA.

“We anticipate that the sample analysis may take up to three working days to complete, though every effort will be made, within reason and depending on the volume of tests, to return results in time for any races in which horses are entered,” a spokesperson for the BHA told the Irish Field.

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O’Brien Horses In Australia Subjected To Out-Of-Competition Tests After Feed Contamination Concerns

After top international trainers Aidan and Joseph O'Brien were forced to scratch horses from Sunday's races due to concerns about possible feed contamination, news broke Monday that Australian authorities are testing O'Brien horses based there.

Racing Post reported that top Caulfield Cup hopeful Anthony Van Dyck and Melbourne Cup contender Tiger Moth just arrived in Australia to prepare for those races.

The O'Brien horses are fed products made by Gain Equine Nutrition, which warned customers that some batches of some of its products may have been contaminated with zilpaterol. Zilpaterol is not permitted in Europe but is commonly used in the States by cattle farmers to add weight to cows. It is a beta agonist and therefore could have anabolic-like side effects.

A French lab detected zilpaterol in urine samples taken from O'Brien horses after the company's warning.

“Racing Victoria (RV) can advise that its integrity services team are liaising with Irish trainers Aidan and Joseph O'Brien regarding the circumstances that led to the stable scratching runners in France and Ireland across the weekend due to concerns regarding the alleged contamination of horse feed that it utilizes.

“Reports from both trainers and international racing authorities are that feed used by both stables has been found in Europe to be contaminated with the prohibited substance Zilpaterol.

“Following discussions with the O'Brien stables, RV stewards have today conducted out of competition testing on their horses at Werribee to determine whether Zilpaterol is currently in any of the horse's systems. The results of these tests may take up to one week.

“Furthermore, both stables have confirmed to RV stewards today that they have ceased using feed from the provider in question.”

Learn more about feed contamination in this 2015 Paulick Report feature.

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