Lord Stevens's inquiry into anabolic steroids doping at Moulton Paddocks stables in Newmarket last year has confirmed that the former Godolphin trainer Mahmoud Al Zarooni acted as a lone operator.
The inquiry also exonerated Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, from any knowledge of any other prohibited substances that were seized in two raids.
Unregulated medicines were found aboard a Dubai Royal Air Wing Flight at Stansted airport in England in May and at Moorley Farm on the Sheikh’s Dalham Hall Estate in Newmarket later in the year.
Sheikh Mohammed commissioned Stevens, the former British Metropolitan Police chief commissioner, to compile the report.
Stevens said the investigation “established that no evidence whatsoever exists” to suggest that Sheikh Mohammed “had any knowledge of the purchase, transportation or use of any unregulated medicines”.
Stevens added: “Equally, neither did he have any knowledge of the illegal activities of Mahmoud Al Zarooni.”
The report, which was completed through Quest, the global advisory firm, also recommended that “stronger management, clearer accountability and better internal communication” was implemented within Sheikh Mohammed’s equine operations.
The report also recommended an internal compliance unit be set up to operate independently and to review and oversee the horse-transport process and other areas of the sheikh’s equine business.
Godolphin runners race all over the world, but the international stable is just one aspect to Sheikh Mohammed’s global equine breeding empire that includes Darley, his thoroughbred breeding operation, and a large endurance racing arm.
[ sports@thenational.ae ]
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