A spate of “positive” results announced recently by a testing laboratory located at Dubai sent shivers down the spine of professionals based at Bangalore. A number of trainers whose horses had been tested in training and were yet to get the final reports, were seen getting nervous with each passing moment. What intrigued most people associated with the sport was the fact that each positive result indicated the presence of Stanazol. Since this is an ancient water based steroid, it was difficult to understand why modern day trainers would use such an outdated product. Furthermore, with stringent punishments being considered by the various Turf Authorities for those found guilty of abusing the use of steroids, not many would risk a two year loss of license for such an offence.

Samples taken from horses belonging to the yards of trainers Ganapathy, Faraz Arshad and Sirajuddin tested positive for the same drug. Each one of them was shocked by such a finding. On enquiring with the Club’s authorities, they were informed that they could send the split samples to any testing centre in Europe, but it would be at their “own cost”. The fact that each test was as expensive as US$ 1000 was quite a revelation. However, having no other choice, the three of them put down the money and opted for a testing facility in France. Even before the results of the split samples were received, the three of them stated confidently that the laboratory at Dubai had made a “terrible mistake”. You can imagine their relief when one after the other, all three horses tested “negative” for Stanazol. The urine samples confirmed the absence of this drug.

There are two questions that immediately rush to one’s mind. The first pertains to the quality of testing facilities at the laboratory in Dubai, and the second to “who should bear the cost of testing the split sample”. It is clear that there is something not right in this whole exercise. Either the equipments being used at that place are malfunctioning, or, the people working there are inefficient. Whatever be the reason, the fact remains that irrespective of the costs involved, Bangalore Turf Club must send its samples to a top class laboratory.

As regards the huge amount of monies paid by the trainers, it would be only fair if the Club refunded the amounts to them. The tests have confirmed that these three trainers were being accused of something that they had not done. Apart from the monetary aspect, it also led to a number sleepless nights. While one can do nothing about the physical and emotional aspects of this problem, there is surely a need for change. It is important to lay down the norms for such happenings in future. Whenever a trainer requests that a split sample be sent for re-testing, the initial cost could be borne by the Club, In case it returns “positive”, the same should be debited to the trainer’s account.  However, it is important to instill confidence amongst the racing fraternity by changing the present system. The Bangalore Turf Club must search for a more capable facility that is credited with providing accurate and dependable results.