Mahmood Al Zarooni faces the loss of his licence

Mahmood Al Zarooni  faces the loss of his licence after admitting being in breach of the rules of racing following  anabolic steroids being found in samples taken from several of his horses including top-class filly Certify who will not now be allowed to run in the Qipco 1,000 Guineas.

Following a BHA inspection of Al Zarooni's stables in Newmarket traces of prohibited substances were discovered in 11 of 45 horses tested.

Desert Blossom, Certify, Fair Hill, Ghostflower, Orkney Island, Sweet Rose and Valley Of Queens tested positive for ethylestranol and Artigiano, Bathrat Amal, Opinion Poll and Restraint Of Trade tested positive for stanozolol.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed was absolutely appalled when he was told and this is completely unacceptable to him. Godolphin said it would will await the outcome of the BHA inquiry before taking any further internal action.

Al Zarooni said: "I deeply regret what has happened. I have made a catastrophic error. Because the horses involved were not racing at the time, I did not realise that what I was doing was in breach of the rules of racing. I can only apologise for the damage this will cause to Godolphin and to racing generally."

A disciplinary panel enquiry into the analysts' findings will take place at the first available opportunity. The horses which have produced positive tests will also not be permitted to race with immediate effect and for an extended period of time.