19 January 2020, France ~ According to reports by French Galop, a disciplinary action was taken against Dutch Trainer Karin Van Den Bos in accord with the Code of the Course and she has been suspended for a period of one year.

A test on the stallion Akoya, owned by Landgoed Waterland, after his winning run of 15 September 2019 in the (Qatar Cup) Prix Dragon (Gr. I) at ParisLongchamp racecourse, found the presence of Myo-Inositol Trispyrophosphate (ITPP) in his system. This was confirmed by the Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques Français. ITPP is a syththetic stimulent that can enhance performance and is prohibited by the Code of the Course at French Galop.

After a hearing of the parties concerned on 15 January 2020, the Commissaires of France Galop have disqualified Akoya from his first place in the September Prix Dragon and banned him from racing for 24 months. They have suspended trainer Karin Van Den Bos for a period of one year.

The first place finish of the Prix Dragon has now been awarded to runner-up Al Shamoos, and second place was awarded to General Lady.

Myo-Inositol Trispyrophosphate, also called ITPP, is an inositol phosphate, a pyrophosphate, a drug candidate, and a putative performance-enhancing substance which exerts its biological effects by increasing tissue oxygenation.The substance is believed to have a high potential for use in athletic doping, and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry tests have been developed to detect ITPP in urine tests. Its use as a performance-enhancing substance in horse racing has also been suspected and similar tests have been developed for horses. [Wikipedia]

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