Investigation must answer every question

We know the horse had been given drugs, but the issue is by whom, says Charlie Brooks

Training horses is extremely stressful. Tempers get frayed and emotions not considered appropriate in most work places are expressed in the course of a normal day in a racing yard.

So I doubt there is any significant trainer in the country – Hughie Morrison included – who does not have somebody they have upset knocking about. And that, I am afraid, makes them hostages to malicious fortune. Having been a trainer, I understand what Morrison is going through.

The irony now that Morrison has been charged is that he becomes as entitled to ask questions of the British Horseracing Authority’s investigation as they are of him; because he cannot carry out that investigation.

So if I were Morrison, my first question would be what is their remit? Is it to find me guilty or to vigorously investigate the possibility that I might be innocent?

To test the intensity of their investigation, I would want to know what attempts have been made to find the source of the drug.

I assume all veterinary practices that stock this drug, and the manufacturers could supply that information, maintain records and

I would ask them if their remit is to find me guilty or investigate if I might be innocent

would be able to identify if any is missing. I would also want to know whether any potential saboteurs have been questioned. If not, why not?

Given that leads will probably be a bit thin on the ground, I would also think Morrison should be entitled to see transcripts of interviews with everyone who had dealings with the horse; jockeys, blacksmiths, vets etc.

The disciplinary panel will consider mitigating circumstances, so to my mind the investigation should carry out hair analysis of all of Morrison’s horses, to get a historical record of any drugs that have been in their systems over a prolonged period. That would give the panel the full picture.

There is no doubt Our Little Sister ran with a steroid in her system, what is in doubt is how it got there and that should undoubtedly be the point of the BHA investigation.