Trainer Matt Laurie responds to 12-month altrenogest ban placed on Delicious Tycoon

Matt Laurie says a 12-month ban placed on one of his mares for testing positive to a prohibited substance in a vet-prescribed medication is “very unfair”.

Matt Laurie-trainer mare Delicious Tycoon has been banned for 12 months. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Delicious Tycoon has been barred for 12 months from August 3 after returning a positive swab to the prohibited substance Trendione, an anabolic androgenic steroid.

The out-of-competition blood sample was taken from Matt Laurie-trained Delicious Tycoon 18 days before Racing Victoria issued an alert to trainers and veterinarians about commercial products containing altrenogest.

That warning followed a Racing Analytical Services Limited screen of oral and injectable altrenogest products, used to control the cycle of fillies and mares.

Batches of the products tested returned traces of Trendione.

Delicious Tycoon was tested on August 3, the same day stewards notified Laurie about stablemate Anahita having tested positive to Trendione after a post-race urine sample on June 28.

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“Both horses were receiving the same altrenogest product,” Laurie said in a statement to Racenet.

“The same product which had been prescribed by our veterinarian and used on a number of mares to regulate their cycles and behaviour for several years.

“My understanding is a number of veterinarians have continued to prescribe this product in recent years.

“Case in point is the three, now four, recent positives which all seemingly link to altrenogest prescribed by three separate and well-known racing veterinarians.”

Trainer Matt Laurie. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Laurie detailed the altrenogest use in the stable’s veterinary treatment diary, which stewards read prior to the out of competition testing of Delicious Tycoon “and a number of other mares” in training.

“Targeted testing such as this, when it appears clear the link is a prescribed product that remains listed in the Rules of Racing as permitted feels very unfair, when the purpose of the product is to protect horse and staff welfare,” Laurie said.

“I will not be making further comment on this.”

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Laurie told Racenet he no longer used the product.

In the Products Containing Altrenogest - Update on August 22, RV advised trainers and vets not to use products containing altrenogest in training or racing.

“As an alternative, RV suggests the use of injectable, short acting progesterone for fillies and mares racing in Victoria,” the update read.

“This should be administered in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance and otherwise in compliance with the ‘one clear day’ rule (i.e. if a filly or mare is racing on a Saturday, progesterone must not be injected at any time on the Friday or the day of the race).

“Trainers should consult their permitted veterinarian on the use of injectable progesterone in their fillies and mares. Please note that the suggested use of progesterone only applies to the progesterone injection; it does not include long acting synthetic progestins.”

A 12-month ban from competing in a race, trial or jumpout is mandatory under the Rules of Racing once an anabolic androgenic steroid is detected in a sample.

Stewards sought submissions from Laurie and the managing owner of Delicious Tycoon but determined AR248 (4) must apply.

Stewards are continuing their investigation into the sample.

Originally published as Trainer Matt Laurie responds to 12-month altrenogest ban placed on Delicious Tycoon