Vet struck off after horse-racing drug detection scandal

Drug detection procedures have led to vet James Main being struck off by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) following an incident of doping in horse racing.

Main administered an illegal blood-clotting agent - Tranexamic acid - to Nicky Henderson-trained runner Moonlit Path before the mare debuted at Huntingdon in February two years ago.

The rules state it is prohibited to provide horses with anything other than water and food on the day they are racing.

At the time, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) fined Mr Henderson £40,000 and barred him from making entries for three months.

The trainer commented at the enquiry that a member of staff in his stables must have been aware the drug was banned, because an entry in the medical book for substances given to the horse that day had been scribbled out, Racing Post reported.

However, the RCVS dealt with Main as the BHA does not license vets.

Discussing the ruling, he said: "I am deeply shocked and disappointed. The prospect of not being able to earn a living as a vet is a matter of grave concern."