Queen Elizabeth's racehorse, a mare named Estimate who came in second at the Ascot Gold Cup last month, has failed a drug test for the banned substance morphine, Buckingham Palace announced this week.
Estimate was one of five horses that tested positive for morphine
during last week's test, The Telegraph reported. The horse will likely be stripped of its Ascot second-place honor and the Queen will forfeit the £80,625 prize ($137,671 USD).
John Warren, Queen Elizabeth's racing and bloodstock adviser, said in a statement that it appears a contaminated feed batch is behind Estimate's positive sample.
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"Initial indications are that the positive test resulted from the consumption of a contaminated feed product," Warren said. "[Trainer] Sir Michael is working closely with the feed company involved to discover how the product may have become contaminated prior to delivery to his stables."
"As the British Horseracing Authority investigates this matter, including potential links between different cases, Sir Michael continues to offer his full cooperation," Warren continued. "There will be no further comment until the BHA announces its considered findings. Her Majesty has been informed of the situation."
The Telegraph reported that Estimate's trainer could face disciplinary action if it's determined that the failed test was not the result of a contaminated feed batch.
"The Queen will be very philosophical and understanding about her filly testing positive. These things happen and it is certainly through no fault of her trainer, although in racing terms the buck officially stops with him," the U.K. newspaper noted. "In due course the case will go to a BHA disciplinary panel and, if as is likely, the trainers have been found to have done nothing wrong they might not even face a fine."
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