The Stewards today concluded their inquiry into the analyst’s finding of the prohibited substance omeprazole being detected in the post-race urine sample taken from DRAGON AIR FORCE subsequent to it being placed second in Race 8 – Shui Chuen O Handicap 1200 Metres conducted at the Sha Tin racemeeting on 12 February 2025.
Evidence was today taken from Mr P F Yiu, trainer of DRAGON AIR FORCE, Dr Bronte Forbes, Head of the Department of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy, Dr Emmie Ho, Head of Racing Laboratory, Mr T M Lam and Mr Y K Lau, head lads allocated to Mr Yiu, and stable assistant Mr H L Wong, also allocated to Mr Yiu.
The following evidence was obtained at the inquiry:
1. DRAGON AIR FORCE was properly prescribed and administered Gastroguard, a registered product containing omeprazole, during the period 27 January 2025 to 6 February 2025 (with the exception of 29 January 2025). The administration of Gastroguard ceased on 6 February 2025, the day DRAGON AIR FORCE was entered to race at the Sha Tin racemeeting on 12 February 2025, in accordance with Mr Yiu’s standard stable practice.
2. Dr Ho gave the following evidence:
a. The pre-race sample provided by DRAGON AIR FORCE at 5:40 am on 12 February 2025 tested negative for omeprazole.
b. The post-race blood sample taken from DRAGON AIR FORCE at 10:47 pm on 12 February 2025 detected omeprazole below the international screening limit and therefore the sample was reported as negative.
c. The post-race urine sample provided by DRAGON AIR FORCE at 10:49 pm on 12 February 2025 detected omeprazole above the international screening limit and therefore the sample was certified as containing the prohibited substance omeprazole.
d. On 4 March 2025 an administration trial was conducted on DRAGON AIR FORCE to determine how much omeprazole DRAGON AIR FORCE may have been exposed to after providing the pre-race sample. Numerous samples were taken from DRAGON AIR FORCE within a 15-hour period during this trial, both before and after the administration of a full dose of omeprazole.
e. Having regard to the abovementioned administration trial performed on DRAGON AIR FORCE and four previous administration trials conducted in 2021, Dr Ho opined that DRAGON AIR FORCE was very likely to be exposed to “more than 0.228 g but less than a full dose of 2.28 g of omeprazole between approximately 2.5 and 4.5 hours before the post-race urine sample collection”.
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.
4. A comprehensive joint investigation conducted by Racing Security and Integrity Assurance and the Stipendiary Stewards, which included a detailed review of the stable close circuit television, interviews with stable staff allocated to Mr Yiu and a review of treatment and medication records, did not identify the cause of the detection of omeprazole in the post-race urine sample.
5. The inquiry conducted today was unable to establish the reason for the detection of omeprazole in the post-race urine sample.
Mr Yiu pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 140(1) in that he as the trainer of DRAGON AIR FORCE did fail to ensure that DRAGON AIR FORCE was free of any prohibited substance on 12 February 2025, the day on which DRAGON AIR FORCE ran in Race 8 – Shui Chuen O Handicap 1200 Metres conducted at the Sha Tin racemeeting on that day. Having regard to Mr Yiu’s submissions on penalty and Mr Yiu’s disciplinary record in respect to like offences he was fined the sum of $75,000.
Rule 138(2) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Rules of Racing provides that if a prohibited substance is detected in a sample taken from a horse on raceday that the horse be disqualified from any race in which it has competed in on that day. Accordingly, DRAGON AIR FORCE was disqualified from its second placing in Race 8 – Shui Chuen O Handicap 1200 Metres conducted at the Sha Tin racemeeting on 12 February 2025 and the placings amended to read:
1st MUST GO
2nd MOJAVE DESERT
3rd SELF IMPROVEMENT
4th GALAXY WITNESS
5th PACKING BOLE
6th MONTA FRUTTA
Mr Yiu was advised of the owners’ right of appeal in relation to the disqualification of DRAGON AIR FORCE.
