Report: Gosdens are fined after 2 positives for ketamine

The British Horseracing Authority fined trainers John and Thady Gosden after ketamine positives in two of their horses.

Racing Post reported that the joint license holders were fined about $4,000, though a BHA disciplinary committe found that the Gosdens had no knowledge of ketamine being administered.

They resulted from cross-contamination from a staff member who was a recreational user of the drug, according to the report.

The horses who tested positive are Zilfee, a 4-year-old half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Enable, and Morrophore, a 4-year-old filly.

The Mirror reported that the Zilfee positive was found in a post-race urine sample after she won a maiden race at Kempton in June 2024. The Morrophore positive was found after she finished sixth in a maiden at Yarmouth in July last year. Both horses were disqualified, according to the report.

The staff member admitted to taking ketamine three times a week when she was not working, according to the report. She looked after Morrophore, and her kitbag was used on the day Zilfee tested positive. She denied direct administration but said believed cross-contamination was possible as did not always wash her hands before work.

Zilfee's maiden win was her only career start. Morrophore raced three times last year and twice this year, winning two of those starts.