Female racehorse disqualified over prohibited level of testosterone in 'unusual' case

A female racehorse has been disqualified after she tested positive for a prohibited level of testosterone, the male sex hormone.

Police Academy, an eight-year-old trained by Fergal O’Brien, won a handicap chase for mares at Uttoxeter in June. The winner of three hurdle races was winning over fences for the first time and edged out favourite Harrys Hope by half a length in the 3m contest. She underwent routine testing after the win, producing a blood sample which showed the presence of testosterone above the permitted threshold level.

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Under the rules of racing it is the trainer’s responsibility to ensure no ‘category A’ prohibited substance is within a horse’s body at any time.

But because of the exceptional circumstances of the case, O’Brien was not charged with committing an offence when the matter went before an independent BHA disciplinary inquiry.

The inquiry report explained: “Police Academy was found to have an ovarian granular cell tumour for which there had been no previous indication and underwent surgery to remove the tumour on 8 July 2025.

“Dr Tyler, the BHA Medication Control and Anti-Doping Manager reported that the presence of the tumour caused the elevated level of testosterone.”

As a result the panel adjudged the incident as “an exceptional case whereby the prohibited substance had not been administered, its presence was out of the control of the responsible person and that there had been no prior indication of the presence of the tumour”.

Under the rules Police Academy had to be disqualified after testing positive for a prohibited substance and first prize-money surrendered. Harrys Hope, trained by Ben Pauling and ridden by Ben Jones, was awarded victory.