Group 1 winning trainer Ben Smith has been suspended for 13 months after testing positive to a ban substance

The two-time Group 1 winning trainer spent more than three years on the sidelines due to cobalt offences.

Trainer Ben Smith has been suspended again. Picture: Mark Evans-Getty Images

Trainer Ben Smith’s career is at a crossroads after the Group 1 winning conditioner was hit with a lengthy 13-month ban when he and one of his horses tested positive to banned substances.

Smith only resumed training in late 2022 after he was slapped with a three year and nine month suspension for cobalt offences and will now be sidelined until mid-next year.

Racing NSW stewards charged Smith for two separate offences, one of which was for the use of a banned substance while handling a horse.

A urine sample taken from Smith at his Kembla Grange stable on April 4 was found to contain a number of banned substances with the trainer pleading guilty to a charge under AR140 for offences where handles use banned substances.

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He was given a 12-month ban, reduced to nine months for the offence while he received a further four month suspension after one of his runners tested positive to an anti inflammatory drug.

A pre-race blood same of Arale found the mare to have meloxicam in her system before the mare went on to salute in the Earthlight First Yearlings, Fillies and Mares Benchmark 72 Handicap at Canterbury on February 2.

Arale has since been disqualified from the race.

Smith, a two-time Group 1 winner through the likes of In Her Time and El Dorado Dreaming, has indicated to stewards that he will appeal the ban.

Originally published as Group 1 winning trainer Ben Smith has been suspended for 13 months after testing positive to a ban substance