Meds Seized at Sheikh's Farm Overseas

Britain's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has seized 124 veterinary medicinal products not authorized for use in the United Kingdom from a farm in Newmarket housing endurance horses owned by the Maktoum family, the Racing Post reported Sept. 10.

Defra was acting on behalf of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, the agency responsible for issues concerning the use and manufacture of veterinary medicines in Britain. According to the Racing Post, the products were found at Moorley Farm East, near Dalham Hall Stud.

The seizure notice was posted on the Veterinary Medicines Directorate website, issued under regulation 41 of Veterinary Medicines Regulations. It read:

"(At) Moorley Farm East, Newmarket. 124 veterinary medicinal products were seized because they were not authorized in the UK and had not been imported into the UK in accordance with the regulations. These medicines, in varying quantities, were to be used on horses and included injectables, anaesthetics, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics."

Asked about the latest controversy to embroil Sheikh Mohammed's equine empire, Dalham Hall Stud director Liam O'Rourke told the Racing Post on Tuesday: "There's no connection with the Thoroughbred operation."

British Horseracing Authority spokesman Robin Mounsey told the Post the issue was a matter for Defra. He added: "The property in question is not licensed by the BHA, and we understand it isn't part of Darley's racing operation."

Earlier this year, Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni was banned from the sport for eight years. Thoroughbreds at Sheikh Mohammed's Moulton Paddocks stables in Newmarket were found to contain traces of anabolic steroids, a treatment regimen of which Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said the ruler of Dubai was "completely unaware."