The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced Aug. 7 the conclusion of the investigation into the use of "Sungate," a veterinary product which contains stanozolol, an anabolic steroid and, therefore, a prohibited substance under the authority’s rules of racing.

The trainers interviewed as part of the investigation have been informed that the BHA will not issue charges against them.

The BHA became aware of Sungate and its use in horses in training following a visit to trainer Gerard Butler’s yard in Feb. 2013 as part of its drug testing in training program. From that visit, nine horses produced positive stanozolol tests. It became apparent that a veterinary practice, which had legally imported Sungate under license into the United Kingdom, was prescribing this product and had recommended its initial administration to horses in training.

The BHA subsequently met with representatives of that veterinary practice, where they learned that it had been recommended to other trainers, as well, that Sungate be administered to their horses. Upon becoming aware of the nature of and use of the product on horses in training the BHA notified the National Trainers Federation (NTF) of the product’s name and that it contained a prohibited substance; the NTF subsequently distributed this information to all of their members