UAE Vice-President Mohammad Bin Rashid orders law banning doping of race horses

Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Thursday ordered the drafting of an anti-doping law in horse-related sports.

The law, which will come into effect as soon as it is issued, would prohibit the import, sale, purchase and use of anabolic steroids in all equine sports.

“I have always believed in the integrity of horse racing and all other horse sports,” Shaikh Mohammad said on the Godolphin website.

Referring to the recent banning of Godolphin trainer Mahmoud Al Zarouni for eight years by the British Horseracing Authority after horses under his care tested positive for a banned substance, Mohammad added: “I have, in light of the unfortunate recent event, directed that a decree be issued making, with immediate effect, the import, sale, purchase or use of anabolic steroids in horse sports a criminal offence under the UAE penal laws.

“Regrettably, one of my stables in Europe has recently fallen below the standards that I expect and will tolerate. As soon as the internal investigations are complete and the requisite preemptory rules are put in place, Godolphin will go from strength to strength and lead, once again, adherence to the highest standards in that gracious sport.”

He added: “This would reaffirm our keenness to safeguard equestrian sports, which are deeply linked to both our history and heritage.”

Shaikh Mohammad instructed the authorities concerned to quickly expedite the law.

— With inputs from WAM