昨日届いたERAからの回答文です
EMIRATES RACING AUTHORITY
227d April 2025
Dear Mr. Yahagi,
Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns regarding the conduct of the testing unit
on Dubai World Cup night, 5 April 2025. Please be assured that the Emirates Racing
Authority (ERA) takes such feedback seriously, and we have undertaken a detailed review of
the matter, including examination of security camera footage from Sampling Box 2 at
Meydan Racecourse.
We acknowledge your concern that Forever Young was allegedly kept in the dark sampling
unit for approximately 40 minutes. Following our review, conducted by Mr. Manav Vaya
(Stipendiary Steward) and myself, we would like to provide the following verified timeline:
• 20:04 - Forever Young entered the sampling box, accompanied by a DRC groom. ERA
sampling staff were present.
• 20:05 - Stable groom took control of the horse. Forever Young walked calmly around the
box.
• 20:09, 20:16, 20:21 - Stable representative opened the door to speak with the groom.
• 20:12 - Groom appeared visibly agitated. ERA staff remained calm and attempted to de-
escalate the situation.
• 20:26 - Extended discussion took place; the groom released the horse's head, after which
Forever Young appeared visibly more relaxed.
• 20:30 - Forever Young was led out by the stable groom.
It is important to note that the sampling box was air-conditioned, well-lit, and the horse
remained inside for a total of 26 minutes - not 40 minutes as initially stated. Forever Young
was released an hour before his race, allowing ample time for recovery and preparation.
Pre-race urine testing is a standard part of the ERA's anti-doping program. During the 2024
25 season, pre-race samples were collected on 429 occasions across 64 meetings. On Dubai
World Cup night, Forever Young was one of nine horses selected. Of these, seven
successfully provided samples pre-race. One other horse remained in the testing unit for 35
minutes and subsequently won its race.
As per our protocol, if a horse fails to produce a urine sample pre-race, they are subject to
post-race sampling. In any Group race, including the Dubai World Cup, post-race sampling is
mandatory for the first three home at least. If no urine sample is produced post-race within
one hour, a blood sample is collected instead. Forever Young successfully provided a post-
race urine sample, thereby fulfilling the integrity requirements.
We acknowledge your concerns regarding communication. Unfortunately, translation staff
were not available at the sampling unit at that time, which may have led to some confusion.
We accept that this is an area requiring improvement and thank you for highlighting it.
Your correspondence has prompted us to reflect constructively on our processes. While pre-
race testing remains a core part of our anti-doping strategy, we are reviewing several aspects,
including:
• Whether horses should be asked to arrive earlier on major race days
• Formalizing a maximum waiting time for pre-race urine collection
• Providing advance procedural briefings and written materials to international teams,
including JRA representatives.
If you would like us to share the recording from the sampling unit to verify the timeline
please let us know and the email address to share this with.
Throughout my time in regulatory racing in the United Arab Emirates, I have held the utmost
respect for JRA trainers and their teams. I continue to admire the professionalism with which
Japanese horses are prepared and handled. It is regrettable that your recent experience did not
reflect the high standards we aim to uphold. While the facts established above differ
somewhat from the initial report, your observations are invaluable, and we are committed to
using this opportunity to enhance our communication and protocols for the benefit of all
visiting teams.
Yours faithfully,
Dr David Craig