Noverre may be stripped of win

Godolphin Racing is very likely to lose its May 13 victory in the classic Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) as the stable's winner, Noverre, has tested positive for a banned anti-arthritis drug.

Noverre has been routinely administered the drug methylprednisolone throughout much of his career. The drug is used around the world on horses suffering from arthritis.

French racing authorities, however, have found traces of the drug in Noverre's system on race day, which is not allowed.

"We accept the French findings and are resigned to Noverre being disqualified from the classic," said Simon Crisford, Godolphin's racing manager, on the stable's Web site on Thursday. "We don't know why traces were found in Noverre's system, as the same therapeutic treatment cycle that has caused no problems in the past was used in this case.

"The welfare of our horses is of paramount importance to Godolphin," Crisford said. "This is a one-off situation which could not have been foreseen because of the stringent guidelines we follow. We are very conscious of the international rules pertaining to prerace medication."

If Noverre is disqualified, the race would be awarded to the runner-up, Vahorimix, owned by Jean-Luc Lagardere.