UAE Vice-President Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid orders lockdown of stables

Dubai: The Godolphin-owned Moulton Paddocks in Newmarket will be shut down with immediate effect, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced on Wednesday.

The decision was taken after 11 horses of the stables, under the supervision of trainer Mahmoud Al Zarouni, tested positive for prohibited substances recently.

In a statement released on the Godolphin website on the issue, Shaikh Mohammad said he was “appalled” by the incident. “We will be locking down the Moulton Paddocks stables with immediate effect, and I have instructed that I want a full round of blood samples and dope testing done on every single horse on that premises.

“I can assure the racing public that no horse will run from that yard this season until I have been absolutely assured by my team that the entire yard is completely clean. I have worked hard to ensure that Godolphin deserves its reputation for integrity and sportsmanship, and I have reiterated to all Godolphin employees that I will not tolerate this type of behaviour.”

Shaikh Mohammad said: “I was appalled and angered to learn that one of our stables in Newmarket has violated Godolphin’s ethical standards and the rules of British racing. I have been involved in British horse racing for 30 years and have deep respect for its traditions and rules. I built my country based on the same solid principles. There can be no excuse for any deliberate violation. Godolphin is fully cooperating with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) to get to the bottom of this matter and take any appropriate disciplinary action.”