SportsTrending
Trainer Willie Mullins has been fined £1,100 after his horse Final Demand was disqualified from second place in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Trainer Willie Mullins has been fined a total of £1,100 (€1,300) after his horse Final Demand was disqualified from second place in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March. The findings of an independent British Horseracing Authority (BHA) disciplinary panel were published on Monday following a fast-track referral for admitted rule breaches.
The panel determined that Final Demand ran in the Grade One event on 11 March with mepivacaine, a Category B Prohibited Substance, in its body. Mepivacaine is a local anaesthetic commonly administered to thoroughbred horses in the UK for therapeutic purposes. The BHA has published a detection time of 72 hours for the substance.
According to the panel, "contrary to Rule (K)2.2, Final Demand ran in the Grade One event at the Festival on 11 March with a Category B Prohibited Substance (mepivacaine) in its body." The horse, ridden by Paul Townend, finished three-quarters of a length behind stablemate Kitzbuhel.
The panel also found that Mullins breached Rule (J)24.2 by failing to declare the use of mepivacaine on the horse's medical declaration forms submitted prior to the race. Mullins admitted both breaches.
Sarah Crowther KC, judicial panel chair, stated that the "BHA and Mr Mullins have agreed the proposed sanctions, which in my judgment are appropriate having regard to the Table of Penalties." The sanctions included a fine of £1,000 for the breach of Rule (K)2.2 and a fine of £100 for the breach of Rule (J)24.2.
The investigation revealed that Final Demand sustained a soft tissue injury to his lower jaw in an accident on 3 March 2026. The injury was stapled in the field by a veterinary surgeon from Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital using mepivacaine. Dr Virginie Bascop, the yard's private veterinary practitioner, stated she was unaware of this administration at the time.
The BHA noted that the precise route by which the prohibited substance entered the horse's body on race day was not established. Expert evidence from Dr Tyler, the BHA Medication Control and Anti-Doping Manager, indicated that the concentration of mepivacaine found (0.19 ng/ml) did not support the contention that it resulted from the therapeutic dose administered on 3 March. Instead, the data suggested administration closer to the time of sampling.
The BHA submitted that neither Mullins nor his staff were aware of the administration of mepivacaine and accepted that reasonable precautions were in place at the yard. The panel concluded that the culpability was low.
The disqualification means Final Demand is not entitled to any position in the race or any prize money, which will be redistributed. The case underscores the strict requirements for medication declarations in high-profile races, where administrative errors can lead to significant sporting and financial consequences for trainers and owners.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
The day's checked news, by email
One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Or follow for the latest news:
SportsTrending
Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud took a Test hat-trick against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, becoming the first pacer from his country to achieve the feat. His five-wicket haul helped dismiss Afghanistan for 240, giving Bangladesh a commanding lead.
SportsTrending
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs surpassed Barry Sanders for the most touchdowns scored before age 25 in NFL history during a 45-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
