The National Horseracing Authority confirms that upon analysis by its Laboratory, the presence of Methamphetamine, a FORBIDDEN SUBSTANCE (Class 1), was disclosed in a plasma specimen taken from VITELLIUS after it had won Race 9 at Turffontein Racecourse on 27 April 2025.
Stock image by Vecteezy for illustration purposes only
Subsequently, VITELLIUS (Trained by Mr Weichong Marwing) has been scratched from Race 8 at the Vaal Racecourse on Thursday, 29 May 2025 in terms of the provisions of Rule 74.3, which prescribes that this gelding be banned from racing for a period of 180 days.
74.3. Any horse known to have been administered a FORBIDDEN SUBSTANCE, or if a specimen taken from that horse contains a FORBIDDEN SUBSTANCE or exceeds the threshold for this substance, shall be banned from racing for a period of 180 DAYS.
However, in the event that the FORBIDDEN SUBSTANCE is an anabolic steroid, the period will be 365 days.
An Inquiry will be opened into this matter.
- Media release by the NHA on Tuesday, 27 May 2025.
