Seven more horses under the care of Mahmood al-Zarooni have tested positive for steroids, bringing the total to 22. In total, 18 horses out of 391 in Al Zarooni's care have tested positive for steroids.
"Last month, Zarooni was given an eight-year ban from British horse racing after 11 of the horses under his training had been doped with anabolic steroids," The Christian Science Monitor reported, citing the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). Al Zarooni, who admitted administering prohibited substances to four others, has appealed against the severity of the ban.
Blood samples were taken from 391 horses at the stables of Al Zarooni and Saeed bin Suroor, who also trains for Godolphin owner and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in the town best known as the headquarters of British flat racing.
All of the horses under Bin Suroor's care tested negative, clearing the way for him to take charge of Al Zarooni's Moulton Paddocks stable, subject to BHA clearance.
The BHA said in a statement that no separate action would be taken "in respect of these additional positive results whilst Mr Al Zarooni's appeal process is on-going". No date has been set for the appeal.
"These test results endorse the swift action and measures taken by the BHA in this matter," said BHA chief executive Paul Bittar.
"Whatever the outcome of his appeal before the independent Appeal Board, the gravity and scale of the infringements warranted Mahmood Al Zarooni being removed from control of the yard as quickly as possible."
The scandal has caused serious embarrassment to Sheikh Mohammed. The BHA accused Emirati Zarooni of "deliberately flouting" the rules and a "widespread systematic misuse of illegal substances".
