The Stewards today conducted an inquiry into the analyst’s finding of the prohibited substance omeprazole being detected in the post-race urine sample taken from TURIN CHAMPIONS subsequent to being placed ninth in Race 7 – Peach Blossom Handicap 1400 Metres conducted at the Sha Tin racemeeting on 22 February 2026.  Omeprazole is a medication used to manage gastric ulceration in racing thoroughbreds.

Evidence was today taken from Mr D A Hayes, trainer of TURIN CHAMPIONS, Dr Bronte Forbes, Head of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy, Dr Emmie Ho, Head of Racing Laboratory and Assistant Trainer Mr Jim C H Wong, Head Lad Ms May M Y Tsang, Head Lad Mr Eric K W Lee and Stables Assistant Mr Chan Kong Sang, all allocated to Mr Hayes.

The following evidence was obtained at the inquiry:-

1. TURIN CHAMPIONS had been prescribed Gastro LV, which contains omeprazole, with the last recorded administration being on 19 February 2026.  There was no evidence obtained during the investigation or today’s inquiry that identified TURIN CHAMPIONS had been administered omeprazole after that date.  The recommended withdrawal period for omeprazole is that it must not be administered on race day, which is also a requirement of Rule 155(29).

2.  Dr Ho gave the following evidence:-

a. The pre-race sample provided by TURIN CHAMPIONS at approximately 5:00 am on 22 February 2026 tested negative for omeprazole.
b. The post-race blood sample taken from TURIN CHAMPIONS at 4:18 pm on 22 February 2026, detected omeprazole below the Club’s Screening Action Limit and therefore was certified as negative.
c. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Laboratory certified that the post-race urine sample provided by TURIN CHAMPIONS at 4:27 pm after racing on 22 February 2026, was found to contain omeprazole above the International Screening Limit.  Analysis of the reserve portion of the sample conducted by the Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques France certified the detection of omeprazole.
d. Having regard to the level of omeprazole detected in the post-race urine and blood samples and previous studies conducted by the Racing Laboratory she was of the opinion that TURIN CHAMPIONS “had likely been exposed to a noticeable amount of omeprazole….probably within 2 to 4 hours prior to the collection of the post-race urine sample at 4:27 pm”.  

3. Dr Forbes provided evidence that the detection of omeprazole in a post-race sample would constitute a finding of a prohibited substance in accordance with the Rules of Racing of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, as omeprazole causes an action or effect directly on the digestive system.

4. A comprehensive joint investigation was conducted by the Stipendiary Stewards and Racing Security and Integrity Assurance.  The investigation included a detailed review of the stable closed-circuit television (CCTV), interviews with stable staff allocated to Mr Hayes and a review of treatment and medication records.

5. The review of the CCTV and interviews conducted of relevant staff did confirm that the horse stabled in the adjacent stall to TURIN CHAMPIONS, namely STORMY KNIGHT, which had raced earlier that day, had been administered Gastro LV, containing omeprazole, orally at approximately 2:20 pm post-race on returning to the stable after racing.  TURIN CHAMPIONS was then stabled in the adjacent stable between 2:20 pm and 3:21 pm when it left its stable to race.

Having regard to the evidence the Stewards were satisfied, to the requisite standard, that the finding of omeprazole in the post-race urine sample was due to contamination from STORMY KNIGHT, after it was administered Gastro LV at 2:20 pm.

Mr Hayes was found guilty of a charge under Rule 140(1) in that as the trainer of TURIN CHAMPIONS he did fail to ensure that TURIN CHAMPIONS was free of any prohibited substance on 22 February 2026, the day on which TURIN CHAMPIONS was declared to race and until such time as the horse was released by the Stewards after it raced in Race 7 – Peach Blossom Handicap 1400 Metres conducted at the Sha Tin racemeeting on that day.  As the Racing Stewards were satisfied that Mr Hayes had not taken all proper precautions to prevent the exposure to the prohibited substance on the day of racing and having regard his good disciplinary record and his submissions on penalty, he was fined the sum of $60,000.

Rule 138(2) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Rules of Racing provides that if a prohibited substance is detected in a horse on raceday that the horse be disqualified from any race in which it has competed in on that day, unless the Stewards are satisfied that the administration of, or exposure to, the prohibited substance occurred after the race.  Accordingly, TURIN CHAMPIONS was disqualified from its ninth placing in Race 7 – Peach Blossom Handicap 1400 Metres conducted at the Sha Tin racemeeting on 22 February 2026 and the placings amended to read:-

9th APOLAR FIGHTER
10th   PERIDOT
11th   TOP PEAK
12th   MABUBU
13th   FUN TOGETHER

Mr Hayes was advised of the owners’ right of appeal in relation to the disqualification of TURIN CHAMPIONS.

Relevant Rules

Rule 138.   (1)   Any horse shall be free of any prohibited substance on the day on which it has been declared to race (i.e. race day), until such time as the Stewards release such horse after it has raced.

 (2)    In the event that a prohibited substance is detected in a sample taken from any horse during the period specified in sub-rule (1) of this Rule such horse shall be:

(ii)   in the case of a post-race sample, disqualified for such race, unless the Stewards are satisfied that such administration of, or exposure to, the prohibited substance occurred after the race.

Rule 140. (1) A trainer shall be responsible for ensuring that any horse trained by him is free of any prohibited substance on the day on which it has been declared to race (i.e. race day), until such time as such horse is released by the Stewards after it has raced.

 (2) In the event that a prohibited substance is detected in a sample taken from a horse during the period of time provided for in sub-rule (1) of this Rule, the trainer of such horse may be penalised unless he proves that he did not administer or cause to be administered the prohibited substance detected, and that he had taken all proper precautions to prevent the administration of or exposure to the prohibited substance.

Rule 155. No person shall: —

(29) Administer or cause to be administered any treatment to a horse on the day on which it has been declared to race (i.e. race day) until such time as the Stewards release such horse after it has raced.