Numerous UK bookmakers will be returning bets to race-goers who placed money on horses that tested positive for steroids in the recent doping scandal in the UK.
The report that several horses at the prestigious Godolphin Stables owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, a Dubain ruler, were tested positive for anabolic steroids came as a shock as no one betting could have ever predicted these events.
Kate Miller, a spokesperson for William Hill Sportsbook, said "This is an unprecedented eventuality, and no one betting could have predicted this event. We believe the fairest result for our customers is to refund all ante-post bets on four horses from the Godolphin stables – Certify, Restraint Of Trade, Desert Bloom and Artigiano.”
Ladbrokes have reported that it will be returning bets worth £200,000 that were placed on horses that were tested positive for steroids while Paddy Power will refund all bets on Certify for the 1000 Guineas and will check its position on other affected horses.
Although the Godolphin Stables trainer, Mahmood al Zarooni, admitted administering two steroids to eleven horses he claims that he was not aware that it was an offence to administer drugs when the horses were not racing. He will be attending a disciplinary hearing in the near future.