David Flood and Assistant Charged In Relation to Mossman Gorge Incident
Published: 8 December 2005
Former racehorse trainer David Flood, and his former assistant trainer Hugh Taylor, have been notified by the Jockey Club that they will be required to attend a Disciplinary Panel enquiry in relation to possible breaches of the Rules of Racing relating to the withdrawal, on the orders of the Stewards, of MOSSMAN GORGE (IRE) from The New Vauxhall Zafira Handicap Stakes at Newmarket on 24th July 2005. The Veterinary Technician reported that the horse had received an intravenous injection whilst in the racecourse stables.
The enquiry which will seek to establish whether or not David Flood has committed a breach of the following Rules of Racing:
Rule 53, in respect of the sample of urine taken from MOSSMANN GORGE (IRE) after the gelding was declared to run under Rule 124 (ii) at Newmarket on 24th July 2005.
Rule 221B(i), in the light of Instruction C7 headed ‘Security of Racehorses’, and in particular the section headed ‘Restrictions on Substances Administered to and Treatment of Horses on Racecourse Premises’, in respect of the intravenous injection given to MOSSMANN GORGE (IRE) whilst in the racecourse stables at Newmarket on 24th July 2005; or
Rule 220(i), in respect of aiding and abetting Hugh Taylor in the giving of the intravenous injection; and
Rule 200 in that the intravenous injection administered to MOSSMANN GORGE (IRE) in the racecourse stables at Newmarket on 24th July contained a prohibited substance and was administered with the intention of affecting the gelding’s racing performance that afternoon or with the knowledge that its racing performance could be affected; and
Rule 220 (viii), in that Flood deliberately mislead or by an overt act endeavoured to mislead the Stewards at Newmarket on 24th July and the Jockey Club Investigating Officers who interviewed him on 23rd August 2005, in respect of his denial of having any involvement in the intravenous injection that was given to MOSSMANN GORGE (IRE) in the racecourse stables.
The enquiry will also seek to establish whether or not Hugh Taylor has committed a breach of the following Rules of Racing:
Rule 221B(i), in the light of Instruction C7 headed ‘Security of Racehorses’, and in particular the section headed ‘Restrictions on Substances Administered to and Treatment of Horses on Racecourse Premises’, in respect of the intravenous injection given to MOSSMANN GORGE (IRE) whilst in the racecourse stables at Newmarket; or
Rule 220(i), in respect of aiding and abetting David Flood in the giving of the intravenous injection; and
Rule 200, in that the intravenous injection administered to MOSSMANN GORGE (IRE) in the racecourse stables at Newmarket on 24th July contained a prohibited substance and was administered with the intention of affecting the gelding’s racing performance that afternoon or with the knowledge that its racing performance could be affected; and
Rule 220 (viii), in that Taylor deliberately mislead or by an overt act endeavoured to mislead the Stewards at Newmarket on 24th July and the Jockey Club Investigating Officers who interviewed him on 23rd August 2005, in respect of his denial of having any involvement in the intravenous injection that was given to MOSSMANN GORGE (IRE) in the racecourse stables.
No provisional date has yet been set for the hearing.
8th December 2005
Notes for Editors:
1. The Horseracing Forensic Laboratory reported that the analysis of the blood taken from Mossman Gorge trained by David Flood, at Newmarket on 24th July 2005, had confirmed the presence of phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone, which is a prohibited substance. This finding was confirmed by the Hong Kong Laboratory, who performed the counter analysis.
2. CCTV coverage of the racecourse stables on the day in question only highlight Flood and Taylor entering MOSSMANN GORGE’s box from 12.51pm, when the gelding was led into the box, until 13.16pm, when the Veterinary Technician found the gelding to have been injected.
3. David Flood is currently working as assistant trainer to Kevin McAuliffe, who also employs Hugh Taylor.
