Ryan stood down, vet embroiled as stewards adjourn DPO inquiry 

Nick Ryan has been suspended pending the outcome of an inquiry into charges leveled against the trainer after the discovery of syringes containing a prohibited substance at his Flemington stables on Saturday.

Ryan’s two Derby day runners Doubt Time (Coolmore Stud Stakes) and Anglais (Wakeful Stakes) were declared late scratchings by order of stewards after an unannounced raid by Racing Victoria integrity officials found the syringes in the trainer’s vehicle.

Stewards allege Darbepoetin Alfa, which is a prohibited substance under Prohibited List A of the Australian Rules of Racing, was the substance in the syringes.

Ryan did not attend Monday’s inquiry, with stewards acceding to the trainer’s legal representative to adjourn the hearing for 28 days.

He was charged under AR 250 (a), which prohibits possession of a substance on Prohibited List A.

Separately, the inquiry heard evidence from veterinarian Dr Luke Campbell into his conduct at the time of Saturday’s stable inspection.

Two horses trained by Ryan, Terrortorian and Haaraccaine were also scratched from Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup and Thursday’s Oaks meetings at Flemington by order of stewards.

Stewards are in the process of approving the transfer of all horses under the care of Ryan to other trainers.

Darbepoetin is abbreviated to DPO in racing cases and sold for human use as Aranesp. It is a genetically engineered, long-acting erythropoiesis-stimulating agent that drives red blood cell production through the same receptors as erythropoietin (EPO).

Stewards will continue their inquiries with Ryan and Dr Campbell at a date to be fixed. 

Following an application by Mr Ryan’s legal representative, Stewards further adjourned the matter for 28 days.

Stewards also informed Ryan that his trainer’s licence was suspended effective immediately pending the ongoing inquiry.