The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) voted unanimously Feb. 15 to suspend fired chief state steward John Veitch for one year in connection with his actions surrounding the Life At Ten case.

Hearing officer Robert Layton determined Veitch had violated five racing rules by not having Life At Ten inspected by a veterinarian or scratched from the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic after jockey John Velazquez told an ESPN audience the filly was not warming up properly prior to the race. Among other charges, Layton ruled Veitch should have ordered Life At Ten tested after the Ladies’ Classic, in which she was not persevered with and ran last as the 7-2 second choice. The Life At Ten incident ultimately led to the implementation of new veterinary practices for future Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.

Following a closed executive session, the commission upheld a recommendation from Layton that Veitch be suspended for 365 days. The suspension begins Feb. 16.

Although Veitch was fired by the commission on Nov. 28, 2011, the suspension would be imposed if he were to successfully appeal his firing. Also, other states would generally recognize the Kentucky action through reciprocity agreements. Layton concluded Veitch violated five rules of racing in connection with how he handled the Life At Ten incident before, during, and after the Ladies’ Classic at Churchill Downs