“Give It Up Already”: Equestrian Community Left Divided as KHRC Takes Decision on Famed Trainer’s Suspension Appeal on Controversial Horse

Medina Spirit, the Zedan Racing Stables-owned horse, is still in the news after his demise. The colt who won the Kentucky Derby in 2021 was disqualified from it two months after his death. The reason for disqualification was a failure in a post-race doping test. The horse was trained by famed equestrian trainer Bob Baffert, who was banned from taking part in races at Kentucky for two years and also suspended.

An appeal was filed by Baffert’s attorney with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission against the disqualification. Recently, the decision on the disqualification came and the equestrian regulator has upheld the original decision. Zedan Racing has reacted to the rule and posted a statement on social media which drew mixed reactions from equestrian fans.

Owner’s Response to equestrian regulators’ decision

In worth more than three and a half million dollars in Medina Spirit disqualification case apart from a two-year ban, the trainer Bob Baffert was handed a 90-day suspension and a $7,500 fine. An appeal was filed, and the decision on the appeal arrived as a blow for both the trainer and the owners. The decision was against them, hence the original decision was upheld. In response to it, the owners of the horse posted a statement from their official Twitter (X) account in which they stated that such a decision on the use of ointment was “a medical rule violation relating to Kentucky Derby winner MEDINA SPIRIT was expected.”

They stated that the court’s wisdom and better analysis of rules and constitutional principles may bring clarity to the subject and shall be benefitting to the industry. At that point in time, the trainer denied the allegation of doping and pointed out that the reason could be an ointment that was applied to Medina Spirit to treat rashes on him. The statement and the decision drew the attention of the equestrian community, which seems to be divided on the issue.

Fans give mixed reactions to the equestrian regulator’s decision

The Zedan Racing’s response to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission‘s decision drew mixed reactions from equestrian enthusiasts who came forward to share their thoughts on the issue. Asking the owners to accept the decision and move on, one fan stated…

Giving his own theory of what might have happened and asking the owners to accept the regulator’s decision saving further embarrassment of the sport, another equestrian fan wrote…

One even supported the owners and wished them good luck for success at court by conceding…

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Praising the owners for not giving up and continuing fighting, another fan commented…

Clearly, while some fans sided with the stables, others stood against the matter. However, amid the difference of opinions, the final decision is till pending from the court.

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