Headlines

By Jon Lees

GODOLPHIN look set to lose a significant Pattern-race prize from this season's tally after one of their string tested positive for a banned substance.

The horse in question is understood to be Delegator, who marked his debut for the yard by winning the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood on August 29, which carried a first prize of £67,443.

If a second test of the sample substantiates the initial finding, the three-year-old will be stripped of the victory and first prize awarded to Khalid Abdullah's Zacinto.

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford declined to confirm the identity of the horse, but said: "We have been informed that a sample taken from one of our horses has produced an irregular finding.

"We are awaiting the results of tests on the B sample, and it would be inappropriate for me to say anything beyond that untilthose results are known."

Delegator started the year with Brian Meehan, emerging as a leading Classic hopeful when winning the Craven Stakes at Newmarket, only to be repelled in the 2,000 Guineas by superstar-in-the-making Sea The Stars.

Heavy ground did for Delegator in the Irish equivalent, but he returned to form to finish second to Mastercraftsman in the St James's Palace Stakes, following which he was bought by Sheikh Mohammed to join Saeed Bin Suroor.

Delegator quickened impressively to beat Zacinto at Goodwood but could finish only third of four to Rip Van Winkle in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on his latest start. The son of Dansili remains in contention for the Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita on November 7.

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