A racing trainer has been handed a suspended 12-month disqualification after one of his horses tested positive for cocaine.

Lucidity, a three-year-old filly at the time, finished second at a race in Brighton in July 2023 before testing positive for a cocaine metabolite.

The source of the positive test remains unidentified, although one of Dunlop’s employees admitted to using the Class-A drug on two occasions while working at the stable.

Despite this, the British Horseracing Authority did not hold Dunlop responsible.

To prevent future incidents, Dunlop plans to introduce random drug testing for his staff.

(stock image) A racing trainer has been handed a suspended 12-month disqualification after one of his horses tested positive for cocaine

(stock image) The source of the positive test remains unidentified, although one of Dunlop’s employees admitted to using the Class-A drug on two occasions while working at the stable

During a two-hour hearing, Dunlop’s solicitor Rory Mac Neice argued for a lesser penalty, describing the outcome as ‘clearly and obviously, utterly undeserved’.

Mac Neice criticised the fairness of the rules, telling Racing Post: ‘Somebody who has been a rule-taker for 30 years, who has an impeccable record, who clearly adds to the industry, far from being a threat to it, has a sword of Damocles hanging over his head for 12 months. What does that achieve?’

Under strict liability rules, Dunlop can continue to operate his yard, with the disqualification only activated if he breaches regulations again within the next year.

Dunlop, whose career includes training top fillies like Ouija Board and Snow Fairy, said: ‘It’s quite harsh – the first time for a jockey is six months – and it’s a stigma against my reputation and it’s been hanging over me for a year.’

He was also fined £1,000.