Champion Western Australian trainers Grant and Alana Williams have been disqualified for 12 months after one of their horses tested positive for a banned ADHD drug.
The husband and wife team, who are reigning champion trainers in Perth, have sent out 924 winners, including 12 at Group 1 level. They were temporarily suspended in January after one of their runners tested positive for the substance after breaking down and dying following a race.
Positive test after horse's death
Stewards opened an inquiry after a prohibited substance was found in a sample taken from nine-time winner Starry Heights, who died after being pulled up in a Listed race at Kalgoorlie in October last year. The suspension was lifted after 29 days after a stay was granted, but on Tuesday Racing Western Australia announced the outcome of the stewards' inquiry.
The couple pleaded guilty to presenting Starry Heights to take part in a race where "the Prohibited List A substance ritalinic acid was detected in a post-mortem sample taken after it had competed in and been eased out of the race".
Contamination claim rejected
In deciding the penalty, the stewards took into account that the substance is banned at all times in racing. The panel added: "Although submissions were made with respect to the detection of the substance being due to contamination, the Stewards were not satisfied that there was sufficient basis upon which to accept those submissions.
"Consequently, the inquiry was unable to establish an accepted explanation for the detection of the substance."
Appeal planned
According to Racenet, the Williams's plan to appeal against the severity of a sentence, which will expire on August 29 next year. In a message to owners they said they were "devastated by the decision".
"We believe the penalty imposed is grossly excessive and disproportionate and does not properly reflect the circumstances surrounding this matter," they said. "We have instructed our legal counsel to immediately take the necessary steps to appeal this decision. We will also be seeking a stay of this disqualification pending the determination of that appeal."
