First American Trainer to Saddle a Winner at Royal Ascot Faces a 15-Day Ban and Fined $2,000 as His Horse Fails Drug Test

The world of horse racing is facing yet another controversy. Wesley Ward, the Royal Ascot trainer, has an impressive track record of 1,460 wins, with over $46.5 million in earnings from his trainees.

Following an evidentiary hearing, Ward was issued a 15-days suspension from June 23rd. Additionally, he faced a fine of $2,000.

Just like Ward, Insanity It Seems was also disqualified from the race with redistributed purse money. Penalties come after the horses test positive for banned substances.

Equestrian faces consequences after horse’s positive drug test

Insanity It Seems is facing repercussions from the New Jersey Racing Commission after one of his horses tested positive for banned substances.

The incident occurred on July 15th last year at Monmouth Park. Following the evidentiary hearing, the Commission issued a 15-day suspension for Ward, disqualifying Insanity It Seems from the race. The purse money, too, was redistributed.

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The horse tested positive for two banned substances – Naproxen and Metformin. While Naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug available over the counter; Metformin is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes.

This isn’t the first time Ward is facing such charges. In 2021, he received a 30-day suspension for a similar incident with the horse, Averley Jane. Of the 30 days, Ward served 15 days in suspension and 15 days deferred on the condition of no such positive tests in the next 365 days.

Building upon his family’s rich history in the sport, Wesley Ward’s father, Dennis Ward, initially embarked on a career as a jockey.

Wesley Ward excelled as a rider and trainer in equestrian sports

Dennis Ward started as a jockey before becoming a successful trainer, while his mother Jeanne, and grandfather Jim Dailey also had racing backgrounds.

With Wesley’s equestrian background, he began his riding career at the age of 12. He competed and won in various meets across Washington, Montana, British Columbia, and Alberta.

His talent led him to ride in prestigious tracks such as Aqueduct, Belmont, and The Meadowlands, where he emerged as a leading jockey. At 16, he received the esteemed Eclipse Award for apprentice jockey. However, weight issues eventually led him to retire from riding in 1989. 

Undeterred, Wesley obtained his trainer’s license in 1990 and began his training career. Over the years, he achieved remarkable success, including becoming the first American trainer to win at Royal Ascot in 2009. Known for his expertise in developing young horses, Wesley Ward continues to make his mark in the world of horse racing.

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