JC of Saudi Arabia Puts Hold on Saudi Cup Payments
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Photo: Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia/Martin Dokoupil
Maximum Security after winning the Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racetrack
The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia announced April 13 that it is withholding payment of the purse money for its $20 million Saudi Cup pending the results of its own investigation into the matter.
In a press release, it reports:
"JCSA is aware that Mr. Jason Servis, trainer of the horse, Maximum Security, the first placed horse in The Saudi Cup, has been indicted in the United States of America on charges relating to the administration of prohibited substances to horses in training under his care and control.
"JCSA is conducting its own investigation in respect of the allegations and until that investigation is concluded, JCSA will withhold payment of prize money due to all connections of horses placed in prize-winning positions in The Saudi Cup, Race 8. This decision has been communicated privately to connections of Saudi Cup runners.
"Due to difficult operational circumstances caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic, the investigation has not yet concluded. JCSA will issue no further statement until such time as the investigation is completed to our satisfaction."
Gary and Mary West's homebred Maximum Security was the winner of the Feb. 29 inaugural Saudi Cup over Midnight Bisou at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, earning $10 million.
A little more than a week later, Servis, and trainer Jorge Navarro, were among 27 trainers, veterinarians, and others indicted in federal court March 9 on doping-related charges.
When contacted by BloodHorse Monday, Gary West said, "I agree it is appropriate for the Saudis to conduct their own investigation."
ANGST: Servis, Navarro Among 27 Facing Doping-Related Charges
Regarding other races during the Saudi Cup week, the JCSA reports:
Results of Appeals—Jockeys Irad Ortiz and Mike Smith, Friday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, Feb. 29
Irad Ortiz
JCSA Technical Committee heard an appeal from jockey Irad Ortiz, against the decision of the stewards dated Friday, Feb. 28 in that during his ride in Race 8 on horse No. 5, Motasameh, he used his whip with excessive frequency for which he received a suspension from riding of eight racing days.
The Technical Committee also heard an appeal from Ortiz, against the decision of the Stewards dated Saturday, Feb. 29, in that during his ride in Race 8, The Saudi Cup, on horse No. 10, Mucho Gusto he used his whip with excessive frequency for which he received a suspension from riding of two racing days and the retention of 10% of his prize money.
Mr. Ortiz's appeal against the sanctions imposed was limited to the proposition that his days of suspension should be amended to be consistent with his position as a rider in the United States.
Under Instruction 10, Paragraphs (b) and (c), of the JCSA Rules of Racing, which allows for flexibility in determining the days of suspension for visiting riders, the Technical Committee agreed to the modification of the application of the suspension of 10 race days, so that the dates are determined by the local authority of the appellant. The Technical Committee did not overturn the decision of the Stewards in respect of the retention of 10% of the value of the prize money due to Mr. Ortiz.
Mike Smith
JCSA Technical Committee heard appeals from jockey, Mike Smith, against two decisions of the Stewards dating from Saturday, Feb. 29.
In the first decision, that he failed to weigh in following his fifth-placed ride in Race 5 on horse No. 13, Maroof, for which he received a suspension from riding of two racing days and the horse was disqualified.
In the second decision, that he used his whip with excessive frequency and without regard to the horse's stride pattern during his ride in Race 8, The Saudi Cup on second-placed horse No. 14, Midnight Bisou, for which he received a further suspension from riding of nine racing days and the retention of 60% of his prize money.
Under Articles 102 & 105, paragraph (b) and Instruction 6 of the JCSA Rules of Racing, the Technical Committee rejected the appeals in substance and supported the decision of the Stewards, in that Mr. Smith be suspended from race riding for a period of 11 race days. The Technical Committee did not overturn the decision of the Stewards in respect of the retention of 60% of the value of the prize money due to Mr. Smith.
Under Instruction 10, paragraphs (b) and (c), which allows for flexibility in determining the days of suspension for visiting riders, the Technical Committee agreed to the modification of the application of the suspension of 11 race days, so that the dates are determined by the local authority of the appellant.
Stewards' Inquiry—International Jockeys Challenge, Race 4, Kingdom Day Friday February 28, 2020
On March 23, stewards of the JCSA conducted an inquiry into a report received from the Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques that traces of prohibited substance, cobalt, above the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities' threshold level, were detected in post-race urine samples taken from first-placed horse No. 10, Sun Hat in Race 4, International Jockeys Challenge, (1,600 meters) Meeting No. 57 on Friday, Feb. 28, at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Present at the inquiry were Mansour Alkahtani (chairman), Mukhled Alotabi (steward), Fahad Aldosari (steward), Phil Tuck (stipendiary steward) and Beden Alsubaie, trainer of Sun Hat together with Mohammad Alfaiz (stewards' secretary).
It was heard that:
Cobalt was detected in the post-race urine sample of Sun Hat taken Feb. 28, at a level above the IFHA international threshold.
Trainer Beden Alsubaie was informed that in accordance with JCSA Racing Rules, Article 119, Sun Hat would be disqualified from the race and all placings amended to reflect that fact.
Final placings can be found via the results section (Meeting 57) here: