Victorian-based trainer Danny O'Brien has been charged by Racing Victoria Stewards, after it was found he was using a prohibited substance on one of his horses.
The charge will allege that O'Brien - who is the trainer of Young Werther in Saturday's Caulfield Cup - gave the substances of Phenylbutazone and its metabolite, Oxyphenbutazone to one of his runners, Coin Collector, back in March this year.
RV released a statement on Friday evening confirming the news and said O'Brien would face the Victorian Racing Tribunal at a later date.
"Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards, subsequent to their investigation, have issued the following charge against Danny O’Brien, as the trainer of Coin Collector (the Horse) under Australian Rule of Racing 240(2), Charge: AR 240 Prohibited substance in sample taken from horse at race meeting," the statement said.
"Subject to subrule, if a horse is brought to a racecourse for the purpose of participating in a race and a prohibited substance on Prohibited List A and/or Prohibited List B is detected in a sample taken from the horse prior to or following its running in any race, the trainer and any other person who was in charge of the horse at any relevant time breaches these Australian Rules.
"The particulars of the charge are summarised as follows:
- On 13 March 2021, the Horse was brought to Moonee Valley Racecourse and ran in the Ladbroke IT Grand Handicap Classic over 2500 metres (the Race).
- On 13 March 2021, prior to the running of the Race, a blood sample was taken from the Horse (the Sample).
- An analysis of the Sample detected the presence of Phenylbutazone (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and its metabolite, Oxyphenbutazone.
"Phenylbutazone and/or Oxyphenbutazone are considered prohibited substances on raceday pursuant to Division 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 (Prohibited list B) of the Australian Rules of Racing.
"The presence of Phenylbutazone and its metabolite, Oxyphenbutazone was detected in the Sample by Racing Analytical Services Limited and by the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory.
"The charge issued against Mr O’Brien will be heard before the Victorian Racing Tribunal on a date to be fixed."
The news couldn't come at a worse time for O'Brien, with his star four-year-old one of the fancied runners in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup, which has a total prizemoney of $5 million.
There has been no suggestion at this stage that Young Werther, or any other horse trained by O'Brien, has been in use of a prohibited substance.
O'Brien has been a notable trainer in Australia for many years and has produced many big winners, including 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow and Declare.