Newmarket, England-based trainer Gerard Butler will soon be charged by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) over his use of the drug Sungate, which contains the banned anabolic steroid stanozolol.

The trainer admitted to being subject to a BHA investigation concerning the joint treatment, which was developed by an Italian company. The BHA said that while it is legal to use the drug in Great Britain when it is imported under license, the active ingredient is a prohibited substance in racing.

Butler, who has trained group I winner Compton Admiral and in the United States has saddled successful horses like grade III winner Pachattack, said in an April newspaper interview that several horses in his stable were treated with Sungate for joint injuries after he received assurances from a veterinary practice that it was allowed. Confident the treatment was legal, Butler entered the Sungate administrations into his official medical records.

The BHA expects to bring charges against Butler while further investigating the use of Sungate

Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.

TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.

Start your free account today!

Already have an account?
and continue reading.