Trainer Gavin Van Zyl was recently fined R110 000 for being the person responsible for the horse Rily’s Star at the time when a urine specimen taken from her after she won at Scottsville on 22nd June 2011 revealed the presence of Methylprednisilone, which is a prohibited substance in terms of the rules of the National Horseracing Authority.
The trainer commented that there is a standard procedure between him and his veterinary surgeons that any horse that was treated by the Vet could race not less than 14 days after receiving the said treatment. In the case of Riley’s Star, the Vet administered a higher-than-usual dose and did not inform Gavin that he would need to wait longer than the usual 14 days before racing the filly again.
When the medication was revealed by the test taken on 22nd June, the Vet went back to check his records and discovered the mistake. At the enquiry, the Vet admitted the error and that this was a case of gross negligence, and indeed Gavin and the Vet in question have paid half of the fine apiece.
Clearly there was no intention to deliberately subvert the rules of racing.
