Australian runners trained by Aidan and his son Joseph O'Brien have undergone tests by Racing Victoria to see if they came back positive for the synthetic substance Zilpaterol, which had been found in contaminated GAIN feed. Both O'Briens and Aidan's other son Donnacha were forced to scratch all of their runners on Arc Sunday after they tested positive for the substance. The O'Briens' 10 horses arrived in Melbourne on Friday night and are under quarantine for two weeks at the International Horse Centre in Werribee.
A statement by Racing Victoria said in part, “Following discussions with the O'Brien stables, RV stewards have today conducted out of competition testing on their horses at Werribee to determine whether zilpaterol is currently in any of the horse's systems. The results of these tests may take up to one week. Furthermore, both stables have confirmed to RV stewards today that they have ceased using feed from the provider in question.
“RV stewards will continue to work with the O'Brien stables regarding the situation and will make a further comment once the result of the out of competition tests are known and the stables have been notified.”
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