The Godolphin doping scandal deepened Monday, with British racing authorities announcing that seven more horses have tested positive for steroids, including the winner of the world's oldest classic.
Trainer Mahmood al-Zarooni already has been banned eight years. He has acknowledged giving anabolic steroids to 15 horses in one of the largest doping scandals to hit the sport in Britain.
After tests on all Godolphin-owned horses in Newmarket, the British Horseracing Authority reported that seven based at Al-Zarooni's Moulton Paddocks yard tested positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol.
They include Encke, a 25-1 shot when he won the 2012 St. Leger, denying the favored Camelot the Triple Crown. A test on Encke after the race was negative. The other six horses - Energizer, Genius Beast, Improvisation, Stamford, Steeler and Zip Top - will also be barred from racing until that date.
Al-Zarooni has appealed the severity of his initial suspension by the BHA. Any further action is on hold until that matter is resolved.
Godolphin founder Sheikh Mohammed locked down Al-Zarooni's stable after the initial positive tests were announced.
Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor is set to assume control of the stables after all of his horses were checked by the BHA and tested negative.
''It is obviously very disappointing that seven further horses have tested positive for stanozolol,'' Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said. ''These results highlight why H.H. Sheikh Mohammed took the decision to lock down the stables at Moulton Paddocks until every Godolphin horse in training at Newmarket had been tested.
''All of Saeed bin Suroor's horses have tested clear, and we are working with the BHA to put everything back in order at Moulton Paddocks.''
