Black Caviar trainer denies use of steroids

SYDNEY (AFP) –

Australian thoroughbred racehorse Black Caviar is paraded onto the track at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne on April 20, 2013. Trainer Peter Moody has hit out at questions about the Australian wonder mare after a steroid scandal in England.

Trainer Peter Moody hit out Wednesday at questions about Australian wonder mare Black Caviar after a steroid scandal in England.

The powerful six-year-old retired unbeaten last month after 25 races but was dragged into the scandal when a British trainer asked if the famous mare had ever been treated with steroids.

The British Horseracing Authority has refused to disclose details in its possession to show if Black Caviar had been on steroids before arriving at Royal Ascot last June.

All visiting trainers are required to disclose treatments to the BHA when horses arrive in the country.

But Moody told Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph the horse, who has won nearly Aus$8 million (US$8.3 million) in prize money, had been tested twice in Britain before winning the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

Asked if Black Caviar had been given steroids, Moody replied: “Nil.”

The Australian said Black Caviar was not treated with steroids during her career, although he supported occasional steroid use under veterinary supervision.

“Steroids increase bulk,” Moody told the daily. “Black Caviar was a huge mare, from the day she was born. It would have been absolutely counter-productive.”

Moody said Black Caviar was tested 24 hours after she arrived in Britain and three days before her narrow Ascot victory.

“There was nothing in her system,” he said.

The steroid debate was sparked last week by the positive testing of 11 horses under Godolphin’s head trainer Mahmood al-Zarooni. His licence has been suspended for eight years.

In refusing to reveal information on Black Caviar, the BHA said: “There is no evidence to suggest that horses trained from outside Britain competing in this country have done so with the benefit of anabolic steroids. There has been no positive for anabolic steroids. If there was one, the horse in question would be barred from running.”‘

Anabolic steroids are banned in the UK, although allowed out of competition in countries including Australia, Dubai and the United States.