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Racing NSW Stewards have today conducted an inquiry into the analyst's finding of Trendione, Epitrenbolone being detected in a urine sample taken from Rita Red prior to completing in the Maiden Plate, 900m at the Corowa race meeting on Thursday, 24 July 2025.

Evidence today was taken from Mr Doug Gorrel, trainer of Rita Red, Racing NSW Veterinary Officer, Dr Rose Bensley and ARFL Quality Manager, Nicole Hudson.

Background

The evidence established the following:

1. In June 2018 Racing NSW provided notification to the racing industry in respect to the detection of trace levels of the anabolic steroid Trendione and/or Trenbolone in certain batches of veterinary prescription animal remedies containing the progestogen altrenogest, used to control the cyclical activity of fillies and mares. Racing NSW advised that, until further notice, trainers in NSW should not administer injectable products containing altrenogest at any time. Further, trainers were advised they should not use oral altrenogest containing products within one clear day of racing and that these registered products must be used in accordance with the relevant manufacturer’s guidelines.

2. During an unannounced stable inspection conducted by Racing NSW Stewards on 28 August 2025, it was found that Rita Red was being administered 13ml of ovu-mate (containing altrenogest) orally every 2-3 days. Ovu-mate is a registered product specifically manufactured for use in horses. The administration of this registered product was in accordance with notification issued by Racing NSW.

3. Stewards were unable to conclusively determine the reasons for the prohibited substances being detected but having regard to the evidence, were satisfied that such finding was not due to the administration of an anabolic steroid and was most likely due to the ingestion of an altrenogest containing substance.

Charges

Stewards gave careful consideration to which of the prohibited substance Rules of Racing should be applied and considered that, given the circumstances of the matter and having regard to the veterinary and scientific evidence, AR240(2) was the Rule of Racing that most appropriately reflected the relevant conduct.

Charge 1

AR240(2) – Presenting a horse to race with a prohibited substance detected

The details of the charge being that Mr Gorrel did present Rita Red to Corowa Racecourse on Thursday, 24 July 2025 for the purpose of racing in the Maiden Plate, 900m where a pre-race urine sample taken from Rita Red was found to contain the prohibited substances Trendione, and Epitrenbolone.

Plea: Guilty

Stewards considered the following matters in respect to penalty:

1. Notifications issued by Racing NSW in respect to the use of altrenogest products
2. The nature of the substances detected, being listed on prohibited substance List A
3. Guilty plea
4. Personal and professional circumstances
5. Disciplinary record
6. Principles applied by Stewards when issuing penalties
7. Precedent penalties

Stewards determined the starting point for the offence under AR240(2) was a fine of $8000. Having regard to the circumstances of this case as well as the mitigating factors detailed above, including a guilty plea, Stewards determined the appropriate penalty was a $6000 fine.

Rita Red

Stewards, acting under the powers of AR240(1), disqualified Rita Red from its third placing in Race 1 at Corowa on 24 July 2025 and amended the placings as follows:

1st - Dita Von
2nd - Lunar Mojo
3rd - Four Esses
4th - Penrose
5th - Aring

Stewards deferred their consideration regarding the eligibility of Rita Red under the terms of AR248(4) to provide the owners of the mare the opportunity to make submissions as to why the Stewards should not invoke the provisions of that Rule of Racing.

Relevant Rules

AR 240 Prohibited substance in sample taken from horse at race meeting.

(1) Subject to subrule (3), if a horse is brought to a racecourse and a prohibited substance on Prohibited List A and/or Prohibited List B is detected in a sample taken from the horse prior to or following its running in any race, the horse must be disqualified from any race in which it started on that day.

(2) Subject to subrule (3), if a horse is brought to a racecourse for the purpose of participating in a race and a prohibited substance on Prohibited List A and/or Prohibited List B is detected in a sample taken from the horse prior to or following its running in any race, the trainer and any other person who was in charge of the horse at any relevant time breaches these Australian Rules.

AR 248 Administration of anabolic androgenic steroids and selective androgen receptor modulators

(4) If a sample taken at any time from a horse has detected in it an anabolic androgenic steroid and/or a selective androgen receptor modulator, the horse is not permitted to start in any race, official trial or jump-out:

 (a) for a period of not less than 12 months from the date of collection of the sample; and

 (b) until after an Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Clearing Certificate and/or a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator Clearing Certificate, as the case may be, is provided in respect of a sample taken from the horse on a date directed by a PRA or the Stewards.

- L J Martin (Chief Steward-Southern District Racing Association, Racing NSW)