Thoroughbred stewards’ inquiry – Trainer George Dupre
Racing WA stewards conducted an inquiry on Monday, 11 March 2024, into reports from the ChemCentre in Perth and the Racing Analytical Services Laboratory (RASL) (Vic) that 4-hydroxy xylazine was detected in the sample taken from Mood Swings, trained by George Dupre, following it competing and finishing in second place in Race 10 at Belmont Park on 16 September 2023.
Following evidence from Mr Dupre, Mrs Lyndall Dupre, ChemCentre representative Dr N Beckett, Racing WA Regulatory Veterinarian Dr C McMullen and Racing WA Investigator Mr Brandon Bird, Mr Dupre pleaded guilty to the following charges:
Particulars:
Charge 1 Australian Rule of Racing 240 (2) Prohibited substance in sample taken from horse at race meeting.
Mr George Dupre, as the trainer, presented Mood Swings to race at the Belmont Park racecourse on 16 September 2023, where it raced and finished in second place in Race 10, with 4-hydroxy xylazine a prohibited substance on Prohibited List B, being detected in a post-race urine sample taken from Mood Swings.
Charge 2 Australian Rule of Racing 104 (1)
Mr George Dupre, a licensed trainer, failed to record treatment administered to Mood Swings on the morning of 12 September 2023.
Having adjourned the inquiry to consider penalty, stewards have now determined to impose the following penalties:
Charge 1 – a fine of $4000.
Charge 2 – a fine of $400.
Further, acting under the provisions of AR 240 (1), Mood Swings was disqualified as the second placegetter of Race10 at Belmont on 16 September 2023 December and placings adjusted accordingly with all relevant prize money to be returned and redistributed.
When determining penalty stewards considered, among other things:
- Mr Dupre’s guilty plea to both charges.
- Mr Dupre’s blemish-free record in relation to prohibited substance detection over some 23 years as a licensed trainer.
- The substance detected was 4-hydroxy xylazine a metabolite of the parent compound.
- The nature of the substance involved being one commonly used in racing stables.
- Mr Dupre had been forthright in his evidence at an early stage in relation to the use of xylazine for the transportation of Mood Swings after trackwork, leading up to the race on 16 September 2023.
- The intent and purpose of the rule which was directed to ensuring a level playing field and maintaining the necessary confidence of those supporting or involved in the racing industry.