Fabian Habib fined 125k

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that a specimen which was collected from MOVER AND SHAKER on 22 February 2023, after it had won Race 10 at Turffontein Racecourse, has disclosed upon analysis the presence of a Novel Prohibited Substance, Mephentermine. The Trainer has signed an Admission of Guilt for the offence and the penalty is a fine of R125 000.

Mephentermine, is an alpha adrenergic receptor agonist with sympathomimetic effects used commonly in the treatment of hypotension (low blood pressure). It causes an increased cardiac output and at higher doses, may stimulate the central nervous system. It is therefore classified as a Prohibited Substance as per Rule 73.

Mephentermine is not contained in any local pharmaceutical product registered for use in human or veterinary medicine. It is therefore considered to be an illegal substance when imported into the Southern African market without the required permit, and therefore the NHA strongly condemns its use in Horseracing. It is however available within overseas markets as both human and veterinary preparations and Trainers are warned against importing unregistered products for use locally.

The National Horseracing Authority Laboratory is a certified international racing laboratory which participates in all the prohibited substance proficiency testing programmes related to the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. Annual proficiency testing confirms the screening capabilities of substances of concern to racing internationally, with the proven abilities to also detect these at the required sensitivities, although they may NOT be included on the NHA local prohibited substance list on our website (which is NOT exhaustive). The NHA Laboratory has consistently achieved a pass rate of 100% over the last decade.

Routine screening at our laboratory is therefore very comprehensive, which includes this non-local drug Mephentermine. This substance has routinely been screened for in all NHA collected urine and blood specimens, for several decades, to date. Whilst this drug is of a significant concern to racing internationally, the international requirement is that of highly sensitively screening. Such screening, and the subsequent confirmation of such positive findings, is conducted with ease at our Laboratory.

This matter has raised certain integrity-related concerns and thus, changes to the pre-race saddling procedures will be communicated by the Racing Control Executive after consultation with the necessary parties has taken place.

All Trainers and material Stakeholders are advised to treat this warning as a SERIOUS ISSUE and to refrain from this type of practice, as the consequences could be substantial.



Enquiries:

Vee Moodley
Chief Executive

This matter has raised certain integrity-related concerns and thus, changes to the pre-race saddling procedures will be communicated by the Racing Control Executive after consultation with the necessary parties has taken place.

I dont understand the context of this sentence!.

Sylvester wrote:

This matter has raised certain integrity-related concerns and thus, changes to the pre-race saddling procedures will be communicated by the Racing Control Executive after consultation with the necessary parties has taken place.

I dont understand the context of this sentence!.

How long does it take for this medicine to take effect?
The effect of this medicine can be observed within 5 to 15 minutes of an intramuscular administration. In the case of an intravenous administration, the effect of this medicine can be observed immediately.

How long do the effects of this medicine last?
The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 4 hours on an intramuscular administration and 30 minutes on an intravenous administration.

Probably had to be given at the course as this horse ran in the last race of the day

The only surprise is that it's taken so long for a trainer to get caught for this.

The rumours continue to swirl around town as to who else could be guilty. I guess they are only rumours and time will, as usual, be the ultimate 'teller'.

Could be a well known pumpkin eater ! 🤔

Concerning to say the least for the well being of the horse.

I’d also like to find out and clarify did Gareth Van Zyl get the same fine for his positive for morphine with Evening Primrose ?? (Morphine Used to mask a horse to win a race would definitely be a performance enhancing drug as the horse would definitely not have run to its true ability with the pain they masked with the serious pain killer morphine) That was in a feature listed race in the Cape Town season. Horse was disqualified and all monies had to to be returned.

Did the trainer Gareth Van Zyl get a fine ?
Was Evening Primrose suspended for a period of time ? (For it’s well being for what ever injury they were masking for the well being of the horse to recover)
Has Mover and Shaker got a suspension?

JGST120 wrote:

Concerning to say the least for the well being of the horse.

I’d also like to find out and clarify did Gareth Van Zyl get the same fine for his positive for morphine with Evening Primrose ?? (Morphine Used to mask a horse to win a race would definitely be a performance enhancing drug as the horse would definitely not have run to its true ability with the pain they masked with the serious pain killer morphine) That was in a feature listed race in the Cape Town season. Horse was disqualified and all monies had to to be returned.

Did the trainer Gareth Van Zyl get a fine ?
Was Evening Primrose suspended for a period of time ? (For it’s well being for what ever injury they were masking for the well being of the horse to recover)
Has Mover and Shaker got a suspension?

KENILWORTH RACECOURSE - RACE 9 - 14.01.2023
Rule 73.2.4 - For, as the Trainer responsible for EVENING PRIMROSE when a specimen which was collected from this horse after the running of the abovementioned race, disclosed upon analysis the presence of Morphine (Class 2) which is a prohibited substance.
Fined R55 000 and in terms of Rule 72.3.2 EVENING PRIMROSE was disqualified from the race. The provisions of Rule 67.7.8 Applies.

Thank you Bob for clarifying.

Is the nha playing double standards ?

Does a horse not get an automatic 60 day suspension for bleeding during a race ? This is by no means the trainer or jockeys fault. But the horse and owners have to to take the suspension and no prohibited substance.

What about other instances where trainers and jockeys are found guilty for the same rules infringements and fined under the same ruling for vast differences in amounts for fines and suspensions ?

Are the nha playing favorites?