A hearing into the most serious doping scandal to hit British racing in recent memory could take place as early as tomorrow.
Newmarket-based trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni admitted on Tuesday he had administered anabolic steroids to 11 horses owned by Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai and head of the vast Godolphin racing empire.
Sheikh Mohammed, who has regularly accompanied The Queen at Royal Ascot, said he was appalled to discover the extent of the use of outlawed drugs and Godolphin and the British Horseracing Authority appear keen for the case to be resolved quickly. The BHA will issue formal charges today.
The 11 horses, including the unbeaten filly Certify who had been strongly fancied to win the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 5, have been banned from racing, and it has emerged that Al Zarooni, who trains more than 150 of the Sheikh's horses, will not have any runners before his case is heard.
A source close to Godolphin hinted that they would not send any horse trained by Al Zarooni to the races until he had faced the authorities.