The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Cape Town on 12 October 2015, Trainer D M Kannemeyer was charged with a contravention of Rule 73.2.4 in that he was the trainer of the horse SOLAR STAR from which a urine specimen was taken after it had participated in and won the 8th race at Scottsville on 26 April 2015.
The specimen disclosed, upon analysis, the presence of Ractopamine, a prohibited substance.
This is the first case in South Africa concerning a positive specimen of Ractopamine, classified in class 1 of the NHA’s “Guidelines for Classification of Prohibited Substances”.
Mr Kannemeyer pleaded not guilty to the charge, but was found guilty.
In coming to a penalty, the Board considered all relevant facts and circumstances before it, including Mr Kannemeyer’s personal circumstances and clean disciplinary record.
The Board imposed a fine of R100 000.00 of which R50 000.00 was suspended for three years provided that Mr Kannemeyer is not found guilty of a similar offence within such period.
Furthermore, in terms of Rule 72.3.2 SOLAR STAR is disqualified from the race and the provisions of Rule 67.7.8 shall apply.
