Racing Victoria have suspended the training license of Nick Ryan after he was charged with possession of a prohibited substance.
Ryan’s two runners on Derby Day were scratched with stewards revealing they had opened an inquiry after the discovery of two syringes containing Darbepoetin Alfa.
The two syringes were found in the glove box of Ryan’s car during an inspection on Saturday morning.
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The inquiry continued on Monday, but Ryan not able to attend and the matter has been adjourned for 28 days.
However, Stewards took action with Ryan’s license suspended effective immediately.
Stewards also ordered the withdrawal of his two runners Terrortorian (Race 2) and Haaracaine (Race 5) from their respective races on Melbourne Cup Day.
And all horses under the care of Ryan will also be transferred to other licensed trainers.
Stewards also revealed they are making inquiries around the conduct of vet Dr Luke Campbell.
“Separately, evidence was today taken from permitted veterinarian Dr Luke Campbell into his conduct at the time of Saturday’s stable inspection,” they said.
“Stewards will continue their inquiries with Mr Ryan and Dr Campbell at a date to be fixed.”
Ryan was charged on Saturday with a breach of AR 250 (a), which prohibits possession of a banned substance.
“Racing Victoria stewards today opened an inquiry following a report from Mr Rhys Melville (Racing Victoria – Manager Compliance Assurance Team) that, while conducting an inspection of trainer Mr Nick Ryan’s stables at Flemington racecourse this morning, a prohibited substance was found in Mr Ryan’s possession,” stewards said on Saturday.
“Ryan was found to have in his possession, in the glove box of his motor vehicle, two syringes of Darbepoetin Alfa which is a prohibited substance under Prohibited List A of the Australian Rules of Racing.”
Darbepoetin Alfa increases the blood’s oxygen carrying capacity, which significantly boosts a horse’s endurance.
Ryan is a former champion jockey who has trained 275 winners since securing his licence in NSW in 2014.
