Racing:Japan's Deep Impact, considered the best horse in the country's racing history, tested positive for a banned substance after finishing third at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Japanese officials have confirmed.
Traces of ipratropium, an inhaled medication that aids breathing, were detected in the horse's urine samples following tests carried out after the October 1st race in Paris.
"It's a huge shame that this has left a stain on the one of the greatest races in the world," Japan Racing Association (JRA) chief executive Masayuki Takahashi said.
"We will make every effort to improve awareness on doping violations in the future."
The four-year-old colt had won 10 of 11 starts in Japan and had been heavily tipped to become the first non-European horse to win the Arc.
Deep Impact's A and B samples tested positive for ipratropium, which is not on Japan's list of banned substances, JRA officials said.
"We were informed by France-Galop on October 13th," the JRA's director of stewards Hiroyuki Kaneda told reporters.
"We will wait to see what punishment is given by France-Galop before deciding what further steps - if any - we will take."
Deep Impact had previously undergone treatment for respiratory trouble but his handlers were aware that ipratropium was banned in Europe, JRA officials said.
"We weren't aware Deep Impact had anything as serious as asthma but we know he had had treatment for his breathing," the JRA's equine director Keiji Nishimura said.
"We don't know what the punishment will be but the horse's pre-race treatment is a matter for his owner and trainer."
However, trainer Yasuo Ikee told Japanese media that he could not "believe the horse tested positive for banned substances. It's a shock."
Ipratropium is a bronchodilator used to prevent wheezing, shortness of breath, and asthma-related conditions.
Deep Impact's owner Masato Kaneko announced last week that the horse would retire this year.
JRA officials said Deep Impact would be allowed to enter races in Japan until then.
Around 5,000 Japanese race fans sparked a betting frenzy in Paris but Deep Impact narrowly failed to live up to his billing as favourite under jockey Yutaka Take.