Impact Faces Arc Disqualification

The fall-out from the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe continued yesterday with the news that Japanese superstar Deep Impact failed a routine drug test after finishing third in the Longchamp showpiece.

The four-year-old was being treated for a respiratory problem prior to the race and had been prescribed a drug that contained the banned substance Ipratropium by a French vet.

The policy in France dictates that veterinary surgeons clearly indicate the date connections should stop administering the drug so that it is no longer in the horse's system come raceday.

However, it appears Deep Impact continued to receive treatment and it seems more than likely that he will be disqualified from his third place.

Louis Romanet, director general of France Galop, explained the correct protocol had been followed for the administration of the substance but that the treatment overstepped the clearance time.

'We have the first sample which tested positive for Ipratropium, a substance used to treat bronchial problems,' said Romanet.

'The second sample has been confirmed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. We have already started the inquiry and some of our officials spent the last weekend in Tokyo to assist the JRA with procedure.

'It is clear the horse was given some medication containing the substance when he was in France.

'The prescription was given by a French vet as the Japanese vet was not allowed to give medication to their horse. The prescription very clearly gave a clearance time for the medication but it appears they have not followed this instruction.

'The vet did not administer the drug, that was left up to the assistant trainer or a stable lad,' continued Romanet. 'They have clearly made a mistake regarding the clearance time.

'We have all the evidence, the vet's prescription and everything, we are just waiting for a detailed report which has been done in Japanese and will be translated. The JRA have been very helpful.

'The next step will be an official inquiry by France Galop who will have a hearing where they ask the owner and the trainer to give evidence if they wish to and after that, when we have a full record of all the details, the stewards will make a decision on the disqualification of Deep Impact.

'The rules are very clear, the horse shall be disqualified and then we will review the situation and decide on the level of the fine depending on the evidence of the case.

'We will gather all the relevant information together and a decision is likely to be announced in around four weeks' time. The rules are very clear though and a banned substance has been used after a time it had been allowed and that will lead to the disqualification of the horse.

'It has been a very transparent inquiry and the only problem has been that the drug has been administered too close to the race.

'We have a system in France where when vets administer substances they have to clearly state a clearance time and this has been breached. All we have to determine now is to decide who breached it before we come to a final decision.'

Japan Racing Authority president Masayuki Takahashi said in a statement: 'We have been informed that a banned substance was detected in the sample of Deep Impact which rain in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe,'

'First I would like to say to all racing fans who went to watch the horse from many different places to give their support in this event, how immensely saddened I am that this news will cast a shadow over the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, which is revered as the pinnacle in world horse racing.

'While this incident has occurred in France, I would like to say on behalf of the JRA that I intend to be meticulous and take a strong lead in raising the awareness among all connections in Japan about banned substances and how this is an international issue in horse racing.'

Deep Impact, a son of Sunday Silence, has amassed over #5million in prize money and is due to retire to stud at the end of the season.

(C) PA Sport