A prominent American horse trainer has been suspended after his thoroughbred tested positive for methamphetamine following a major race in New Mexico, a scandal that has rocked the quarter horse racing world.
The Race and the Positive Test
The incident centres on trainer Michael Joiner and his Oklahoma-bred horse, Js On Fire. The animal surged to a second-place finish at the prestigious American Quarter Horse Association Racing Challenge in Albuquerque on October 19.
However, the triumph was short-lived. Roughly two weeks later, the New Mexico Racing Commission received laboratory results showing the horse had tested positive for meth. The analysis detected approximately 0.485 nanograms of the illegal stimulant in the animal's system.
Acting on the finding, the commission suspended Joiner's licence on October 31, effectively barring him from all racetracks within the state.
Legal Battle and Contamination Claims
Joiner swiftly appealed the suspension, filing a motion that denied any wrongdoing. His legal team, led by attorney Billy Blackburn, argued the minute trace of meth was the result of 'environmental contamination'.
Blackburn emphasised the incredibly small quantity found, telling local media it was 'very, very, very small' and 'invisible to see with the naked eye'. The motion pointed to potential contamination from the Downs of Albuquerque racetrack or its employees.
It further cited an October 2022 New Mexico State Police video which allegedly showed people illegally living in horse barns near the track, some of whom were caught using meth. 'Things really have not changed over the years,' Joiner's motion claimed.
National Ban and Temporary Reprieve
The state suspension carried severe national consequences. Under reciprocal rules observed by US racing jurisdictions, a summary suspension in one state is honoured across the country. This meant Joiner faced being shut out of the entire American horse racing industry.
His motion argued this would cause 'irreparable injury or harm'. The document also noted that none of Joiner's clients, whom he has trained for over 24 world-class owners, had asked him to resign following the positive test.
On Monday, Nancy Franchini, a state district judge in Albuquerque, ruled in the trainer's favour. She issued an emergency temporary restraining order against the suspension, allowing Joiner to continue racing pending a full disciplinary hearing.
Judge Franchini stated Joiner's challenge had a 'substantial likelihood' of success and that the injunction would not harm the public interest. The commission's full hearing process could take up to a year to complete.
Izzy Trejo, executive director of the New Mexico Racing Commission, confirmed the commission is awaiting a second test sample. 'Pursuant to the New Mexico administrative codes, the commission's required to run this matter through the adjudication process,' Trejo stated.
Joiner, who began training in 1979 and has won races across multiple states, has horses that have earned over $18.1 million in prize money. His motion stated he has rarely faced disciplinary action for drug violations in his lengthy career.
