Racehorse trainer Howard Johnson’s hearing adjourned

Trainer Howard Johnson’s hearing into alleged breaches of the Rules of Racing has been adjourned until 2 August.

Mr Johnson appeared before a British Horseracing Authority inquiry last week (20-21 July) facing welfare charges, but further evidence still needs to be heard.

He faces a fine and lengthy ban after Striking Article was found to have run eight times since having its leg “de-nerved” in 2008.

Mr Johnson said he was unaware this was against the Rules.

Striking Article was pulled up with an injured tendon and subsequently put down after a race at Musselburgh on 7 February 2010.

A post mortem found the horse had undergone a palmar neurectomy.

This banned procedure severs the nervous connection in the lower leg and is banned in the sport on welfare grounds as it affects the horse’s ability to feel pain.

In a separate investigation he has also been charged with administering anabolic steroids to three of his horses.

“Unfortunately the panel were unable to hear all of the evidence in the time available. There were unforeseen issues arising in respect of a witness before proceedings began yesterday, and while both sides were confident that the hearing would still conclude in time, some of the other evidence presented and witness examinations took longer than anticipated,” said Paul Struthers, from the BHA.

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