The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Port Elizabeth on 19 April 2013 Jockey Gareth Wright was charged with a contravention of Rules 77.1.1 and 77.2.8, in that a urine specimen taken from him at Arlington Racecourse on 23 January 2013, disclosed upon analysis the presence of codeine, which is an opiate, and a prohibited substance in terms of the Rules of The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa.
Mr Wright pleaded guilty to and was found guilty of the charge.
The Inquiry Board imposed a suspension from riding in races for a period of four weeks of which two weeks are wholly suspended for a period of twelve months provided that during that period he is not found guilty of a contravention of Rule 77.
Mr Wright has the right of appeal against the penalty imposed.
