Stuff Sports
20 April, 2021, 10:05 am
Jesse Alford was suspended in February after Racing Integrity Unit investigators caught him administering a substance to two horses. (File photo)
A Canterbury harness racing trainer has pleaded guilty to administering a prohibited substance to two horses on race day.
The trainer, who faces a potential life ban, says he is sorry for his actions, saying they “have no place in racing”.
Jesse Alford was suspended in February after Racing Integrity Unit (RIU) investigators caught him injecting a substance to two horses, Johnny Nevits and Jimmy Cannon, at his stables in Woodend Beach, two hours before they were due to take the track.
Harness racing trainer pleads guilty to injecting horses with banned substance stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
While the listing states the gelding died on Tuesday, the date of death is thought to be an administrative error. Jimmy Cannon, a five-year-old trotter with eight podium finishes in 36 starts, including three wins, was stood down from racing in February after it was allegedly injected with a substance by Canterbury trainer Jesse Alford. In the aftermath of the incident, Alford’s licence was suspended and the horse was transferred to the stables of trainer Cam Jones last month.
Alden Williams/Stuff
Jesse Alford was suspended last month after Racing Integrity Unit investigators caught him administering a substance to two horses. (File photo)
Several Canterbury harness racing trainers suspected of doping horses stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.