Winner of Velká pardubická steeplechase faces disqualification

Nikas, the winner of the Czech Republic’s prestigious Velká pardubická steeplechase last year, faces disqualification after a second drug test confirmed the presence of banned alkaloids in the animal’s blood. The Czech Jockey Club is set to issue a final ruling.

Marek Stromský and Nikas, photo: CTK

In 125 years of the Velká Pardubická steeplechase, Nikas, ridden by jockey Marek Stromský appears set to be the first horse to be disqualified for doping. Two tests have now confirmed the presence of banned substances in the animal’s blood. The maximum allowable limit of the alkaloids uncovered – theobromine and caffeine – are two micrograms per millilitre of the animal’s urine; the sample measured was 2.89, with a slight margin of error.

Ivo Strauss, the chairman of the Czech Jockey Club’s anti-doping commission, said the trace amount was too little to have influenced the horse’s performance; Nikas’ trainer Stanislav Popelka, meanwhile, denied any wrongdoing. A second horse in the Castor stable which won the Crystal Cup a day before the Velká Pardubická steeplechase, was also found to also have banned levels of alkaloids. Mr Popelka charged on Tuesday that there had been a mistake in the feed.

“A mistake by the feed producer cost me two important titles and tarnished my name as a trainer, which irks me most of all.”

The final decision on whether Nikas will be disqualified will be taken by the Czech Jockey Club commission. Michael Skalický the chairman of the Velká pardubická steeplechase Association told Czech TV that appropriate steps would be taken once the commission issued its decision.

Michael Skalický, photo: Czech Television

“If the commission confirms the result, then we will ask those who finished on the podium to return prizes won and there will be a new winner’s ceremony.”

Disqualification of Nikas will leave Ribelino as the winning horse. The change in the result, though, will in no way affect betting agencies. Bets placed and won by punters on the day of the race stand. A protest would have had to have been registered within 30 minutes of the race, Mr Skalický said. Otherwise, the ‘first past the post’ principle applies.