Group 1-winning mare Prowess tests positive to banned substance

Racing Victoria stewards have revealed a “prohibited substance was detected in a pre-race urine sample” from Prowess ahead of the Group 1 Champions Stakes.

Prowess wins the Crystal Mile at The Valley.

Dual Group 1-winning mare Prowess tested positive to a banned substance during a sample taken before she raced in the Champions Stakes in November.

Racing Victoria stewards said on Thursday a “prohibited substance was detected in a pre-race urine sample collected from the Roger James and Robert Wellwood trained racehorse, Prowess.”

Prowess finished sixth in the race as a $5.50 chance and earned $60,000 prizemoney.

She retired from racing the next month with a hoof ailment.

Atishu records her second Gr1 victory for @cwallerracing, highlighting the outstanding form coming through last Saturday's Gr1 Empire Rose Stakes by winning the Gr1 Champions Stakes @FlemingtonVRC for @mcacajamez and @_GoRacing@NZTM_TWEET@KarakaChat@WaikatoStud@Lion_Tamer_Nzpic.twitter.com/N8bnfQq4s2

— Black Type Racing (@BreedingRacing) November 11, 2023

“The report relates to a pre-race urine sample taken from Prowess prior to the mare starting in the TAB Champions Stakes over 2000m, at Flemington Racecourse on 11 November 2023,” stewards said in a statement.

“(Racing Analytical Services Limited) reported that the urine sample was shown to contain Phenylbutazone, Oxyphenbutazone and Gamma-hydroxyphenylbutazone (a non- steroidal anti-inflammatory and its metabolites) which is a prohibited substance on raceday in accordance with the Australian Rules of Racing.

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“The Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) also reported that it had detected Phenylbutazone, Oxyphenbutazone and gamma-hydroxyphenylbutazone within the reserve portion of the urine sample.”

Prowess too strong in the Crystal Mile. 💪

It's that man again, Mark Zahra. pic.twitter.com/WdC8AVqrwf

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 28, 2023

Phenylbutazone is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent.

It has analgesic (pain relieving), anti-inflammatory and fever suppression properties and is registered for use in horses by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. The substance is prohibited under the Australian Rules of Racing when detected in a sample taken from a horse at a race meeting or trial (including an official trial or a jump-out for the purpose of obtaining a permit to start in a race).

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Stewards initially informed James and Wellwood of the irregularity on December 22.

James and Wellwood were informed on February 5 of the confirmatory findings.

Stewards are continuing their investigation.

Prowess won the Group 1 Bonecrusher Stakes and the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes in March last year.

She defeated Antino and Tuvalu in last year’s Group 2 Crystal Mile at The Valley.

Originally published as Group 1-winning mare Prowess tests positive to banned substance