Thoroughbred stewards’ inquiry – Trainer Jim Taylor (Prophet and Power)
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) stewards conducted an inquiry on Thursday, 7 December 2023 into reports from the ChemCentre in Perth and the Racing Analytical Services Laboratory (Vic) that meloxicam was detected in the sample taken from Prophet and Power, trained by Jim Taylor, following it competing in and winning Race 1 at Pinjarra on 3 August 2023.
After hearing evidence from Jim Taylor, Stable Foreperson Lachie Taylor, ChemCentre representative Dr B Dorakumbora, RWWA regulatory veterinarian Dr C McMullen and RWWA Senior Investigator Mr A Walton, Mr Taylor pleaded guilty to the following charge:
Australian Rule of Racing 240 (2) Prohibited substance in sample taken from horse at race meeting.
Particulars:
Particulars of the charge being that Mr Taylor, as the trainer, presented Prophet and Power to Pinjarra Racecourse on Thursday 3 August 2023, where it raced and won Race 1, with meloxicam, a prohibited substance on Prohibited List B, being detected in a post-race urine sample taken from Prophet and Power.
Mr Taylor was fined $4000.
Further acting under the provisions of AR 240 (1) Prophet and Power was disqualified as the winner of Race 1 at Pinjarra on 3 August 2023 and placings adjusted accordingly with all relevant prize money to be returned and redistributed accordingly.
When determining penalty, stewards considered, among other things:
- Mr Taylor’s plea of guilty, personal circumstances and clean record over twenty-eight years as a licensed trainer.
- The nature of the prohibited substance detected, namely meloxicam which is an anti-inflammatory substance and a therapeutic agent.
- The low level of meloxicam detected which indicated that it was at the tail end of treatment.
- 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.
- Precedence in past cases.