Dubai: Two-time UAE champion trainer Ernst Oertel will miss the rest of the racing season, including the Carnival and Dubai World Cup meeting, after he was banned for four months by the Emirates Racing Authority (ERA) stewards on Monday.
The ban was enforced under ERA Rules of Racing as it was determined that Oertel had violated its regulations and administered the prohibited substance ibuprofen to two of his horses, Razeen and Mell De Piboul.
The banned substance had been detected in the post-race urine samples taken from Razeen after it won the Sharjah Sport Council handicap in Sharjah on November 1 and Mell De Piboul, who finished second in the Yas Island Maiden at Abu Dhabi on November 16.
The details concerning the incident were released by the ERA Stewards on Monday, by ERA Chief Steward John Zucal following the conclusion of an inquiry into reports received from the Equine Forensic Unit (Dubai).
During the subsequent hearing, evidence was taken from Oertel by Veterinarian Dr. Louise Barbesgaard, Equine Forensic Unit Chief Analyst, Dr. Peter Albert and ERA Head Veterinary Officer Dr. David Sykes.
Oertel, who was bidding to win a third consecutive UAE Trainer’s Championship this season, pleaded guilty to two charges under the provisions of ERA Rule of Racing 95AAA 2.
In considering the penalty, the Stewards took into account Oertel’s guilty pleas; the seriousness of the matter; Oertel’s disciplinary record, which showed that he had two previous breaches of the prohibited substance rules; the nature of the prohibited and the personal circumstances of Oertel.
Oertel was disqualified for a period of four months on each charge with immediate effect. The ban will expire at midnight April 15, 2015.
Pursuant to ERA Ruler 86 (ii), Razeen and Mell De Piboul were disqualified and the placings amended. Rocky CS was promoted as the winner of the Sharjah Sport Council handicap and Maftoon Al Reef was named runner-up of the Yas Island Maiden.
South African born Oertel is a high-profile trainer in the UAE specialising in Purebred Arabians based at the Al Asayl Stables in Abu Dhabi. The punishment is one of the harshest administered by the ERA.
Oertel has enjoyed much success in recent years, particularly with horses like Nymphea Du Paon, the 2014 UAE Arabian Derby winner, but has also had to ensure his share of adversity.
Less than three months ago, Oertel had his left leg amputated at the knee due to septicaemia following surgery that went wrong following a riding accident. It is not clear if Al Asayl Stables will appoint an interim trainer for the big string in Abu Dhabi, with more than three months remaining in the UAE racing season, which culminates in the Dubai World Cup on March 28, 2015.
The Dubai World Cup Carnival, which builds up to the big days, kicks-off on January 8, 2015 at Meydan Racecourse.
