$20 million prize money on hold
13 April 2020, Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA) ~ After the win on 29 February 2020, of the Saudi Cup on Saudi Cup Day by Maximum Security (USA) trained by Jason Servis, the trainer was indicted in the USA 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 to the allegations and whether Maximum Security’s win was aided by performance-enhancing drugs. Until that investigation is concluded, JCSA is withholding payment of prize money due to all connections of horses placed in prize-winning positions in The Saudi Cup. Owners, Gary and Mary West have on hold the $10 million winning prize of the total of $20 million for the race.
In addition there were Stewards’s inquirys into several other races.
Stewards’ Inquiry – International Jockeys Challenge, Race 4, Kingdom Day Friday February 28, 2020
Post race urine samples taken from first placed horse #10, Sun Hat (IRE) by Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques showed traces of the prohibited substance cobalt, above the IFHA international threshold level. Trainer Beden Alsubaie was informed that in accordance with JCSA Racing Rules, Article 119, Sun Hat (IRE) would be disqualified from the race and all placings amended to reflect that fact.
As the race was one leg of the International Jockeys Challenge, overall Jockey Challenge results moved Mickaëlle Michel into first place on Seif Alsharq, Sibyle Vogt into 2nd, Camilo Ospina into 3rd, Franki Dettori into 4th, and Yutaka Taka into 5th.
Result of Appeals – Jockey Irad Ortiz – suspended for 10 days
An appeal was lodged by jockey Mr Irad Ortiz, against the decision of the Stewards dated Friday, 28 February 2020, in that during his ride in Race 8 on Horse #5 MOTASAMEH (KSA), 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 Mr Ortiz against the decision of the Stewards dated Saturday, 29 February 2020, in that during his ride in Race 8, The Saudi Cup, on horse #10, MUCHO GUSTO (USA) he used his whip with excessive frequency for which he received a suspension from riding of two racing days and the retention of 10 per cent of his prize money.
The Technical Committee agreed to the modification of the application of the suspension of 10 race days with the dates to be determined by the local authority of the appellant (USA). The Technical Committee did not overturn the decision of the Stewards in respect of the retention of 10 per cent of the value of the prize money due to Mr Ortiz.
Result of Appeals – Jockey Mike Smith – suspended for 11 race days
In the 5th race on Saturday, 29 February 2020, Jockey Mike Smith received a suspension from riding of two racing days and the horse was disqualified when he failed to weigh in following his fifth place ride on #13 MAROOF (KSA).
Mike Smith was also disciplined for using 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 #14, Midnight Bisou (USA). He received a suspension of nine racing days and the retention of 60 per cent of his prize money.
Smith’s suspensions were upheld in accordance with details for visiting riders and were modified to 11 race days with the dates to be determined by the his local (USA) authority.
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