Gerard Butler appeals five-year ban

Gerard Butler has lodged an appeal against the five-year ban imposed by the British Horseracing Authority over the use of banned steroids on some of his horses.

The results of a BHA inquiry held in November were released last Wednesday, with Group One-winning trainer Butler having admitted all seven charges against him relating to samples of an anabolic steroid found in horses in his care.

Nine horses produced positive samples, five cases of which were identified as the joint treatment Sungate, which contains the banned anabolic steroid stanozolol.

However, considered even more serious was Butler’s admission of administering another substance, Rexogin, to four horses himself.

Rexogin is designed for use in humans, often for bodybuilding, and contains 10 times as much stanozolol as Sungate.

Butler said he had made a “big mistake, and (I) am paying a big price” following the inquiry, but has now decided to contest the result of the hearing.

The BHA tweeted: “Gerard Butler has appealed against the findings of the Disciplinary Panel on 4 Dec 2013 and the penalties imposed upon him.

“Butler was disqualified for five years after admitting seven breaches of the Rules of Racing. No date for a hearing has yet been set. Butler will remain a disqualified person in the meantime.”