Leading bookmaker BetVictor are gearing themselves for the 2025 Grand National and all new customers registering with this betting operator can benefit from a mouthwatering ‘Bet £10 Get £30 plus 100 Free Spins’ offer, subject to terms and conditions.
Famous Bridge Faces Disqualification After Positive Drug Test at Haydock
The connections of Famous Bridge are set for a significant setback following news that the nine-year-old chaser is to be disqualified from his victory in the Grand National Trial at Haydock after returning a positive post-race drug test.
The highly regarded gelding, trained in the north of England, produced an impressive performance in February to land the prestigious trial and stamp his credentials as a potential contender for the Randox Grand National. However, it has now emerged that he tested positive for a prohibited substance, believed to be a muscle relaxant used to prevent ‘tying up’, a common issue in racehorses involving painful muscle cramping.
Substance Breach to Result in Disqualification and Financial Penalty
Under British Horseracing Authority (BHA) rules, the presence of any banned substance on race day constitutes a strict liability offence, regardless of intent. As a result, Famous Bridge will be formally disqualified from the race, and his owners will be required to forfeit the first-place prize-money—an amount just shy of £57,000.
The trainer, whose identity has not been officially confirmed in this context, is expected to face a regulatory hearing in due course. While the medication detected is not considered performance-enhancing in the traditional sense, it is strictly controlled due to its potential to mask signs of fatigue or discomfort, thus giving horses an unfair advantage.
What is ‘Tying Up’ – and Why the Concern?
‘Tying up’, or Equine Rhabdomyolysis Syndrome, is a condition that affects a horse’s muscles, often after strenuous exercise or during periods of stress. Symptoms include cramping, stiffness, and in severe cases, an inability to move freely. Certain muscle relaxants or antispasmodic medications are commonly prescribed during training to alleviate or prevent the condition.
While these medications are permitted in training, they must not be present in a horse’s system on race day. The presence of such substances could potentially improve performance by preventing discomfort during exertion, hence the stringent regulation.
Impact on the Grand National Picture
Famous Bridge’s victory in the Haydock trial was seen by many as a springboard to Grand National qualification. The Haydock contest, traditionally one of the most informative preps for Aintree, often plays a pivotal role in shaping the National field, especially for staying chasers whose form needs to prove stamina and durability.
With the disqualification, Famous Bridge’s official record will now exclude the Haydock win, which may impact his official rating, handicap mark, and ultimately his eligibility for Aintree—depending on how the BHA stewards choose to proceed.
Even if the disqualification does not rule him out of contention entirely, his reputation has undoubtedly been affected, and the matter may cause connections to reassess plans for the remainder of the season.
Industry Reaction and Regulatory Implications
The news has prompted concern within racing circles, particularly as it comes ahead of one of the sport’s biggest events. While isolated, such incidents highlight the ongoing challenge of maintaining integrity and transparency in racing, particularly in the lead-up to high-profile meetings like Aintree’s Grand National Festival.
The BHA is expected to release further details in due course, including the outcome of any inquiry and whether any additional sanctions or suspensions will be applied.
In the meantime, the disqualification will be a bitter pill for the connections of Famous Bridge, who not only lose the prestige of a valuable staying chase win, but also the accompanying prize-money and the momentum that comes with it.
Investigation continuing
Disqualifications for medication breaches remain relatively rare in British racing, but when they do occur—particularly in significant races—they inevitably spark debate about the balance between treatment and regulation, and the importance of ensuring a level playing field for all competitors.
For Famous Bridge, what was once a career-best performance has now been overshadowed by controversy. As the investigation continues, the racing world will watch closely for any broader implications—and for how the horse’s team chooses to respond in the weeks ahead.
