Father and son trainers guilty of Cobalt use receive big bans

Lee and Shannon HopeDISGRACED trainers Lee and Shannon Hope have been handed down severe penalties for administering the banned substance Cobalt to their horses.

The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board gave Shannon Lee a five-year disqualification, while his father Lee will serve a three-year suspension.

The Hopes were found guilty on three charges of administering, or causing to be administered, a prohibited substance [Cobalt] for the purpose of affecting performance.

Windy Citi Bear, Best Suggestion and Choose all returned samples above the threshold of 200 micrograms per litre of urine and were all disqualified from their races. The 10 per cent share of prize money, which was being held in trust, will be returned to the Hopes, totaling $50,000.

Both Shannon and Lee would not make comment on the hearing, with Lee stating: “I’ve been advised not to say anything, will have to wait and see [on any appeal]”.

Lee Hope was given the longer sentence as the board viewed that Lee had the greater amount of culpability than his father.

Both Lee and Shannon told the board the elevated levels came from regimented feed supplement and medical regime. The board, however, disagreed and supported the case put up by Racing Victoria and its witnesses, who gave evidence during the four days of the hearing.

The Hopes’ case was the first cobalt hearing in Victoria, but with the high-profile cases of Danny O’Brien, Mark Kavanagh and Peter Moody to come, it will be a busy time for Victorian authorities.

HorseBetting.com.au will keep you informed as more news comes to hand.

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