Ernst Oertal banned for four months

December 15, 2014
ERA Stewards today concluded an inquiry into reports received from the Equine Forensic Unit (Dubai) that the prohibited substance ibuprofen had been detected in the post-race urine samples taken from RAZEEN (FR) after it won Race 1, the Sharjah Sport Council (1200 metres) at Sharjah on 1 November 2014 and MELL DE PIBOUL (FR) after it finished second in Race 1, the Yas Island Maiden (1600 metres) at Abu Dhabi on 16 November 2014.

Evidence was taken from Mr. Ernst Oertel the trainer of RAZEEN (FR) and MELL DE PIBOUL (FR), Veterinarian Dr. Louise Barbesgaard, Equine Forensic Unit Chief Analyst Dr. Peter Albert and ERA Head Veterinary Officer Dr. David Sykes.

Mr. Oertel pleaded guilty to two (2) charges under the provisions of ERA Rule of Racing 95AAA 2 in that he presented RAZEEN (FR) to race at Sharjah on 1 November 2014 and MELL DE PIBOUL (FR) at Abu Dhabi on 16 November 2014 which upon analysis of post-race urine samples were found to have had administered to them the prohibited substance ibuprofen.

In considering penalty the Stewards took into account the following:
• Mr. Oertel’s guilty pleas.
• The seriousness of these matters.
• Mr. Oertel’s disciplinary record which shows that Mr. Oertel had previous breaches of the prohibited substance rules on 10 December 2013 and 29 January 2014.
• The nature of the prohibited substance detected that being a therapeutic substance.
• The personal circumstances of Mr. Oertel.

Mr. Oertel was disqualified for a period of four (4) months on each charge effective immediately. The Stewards further directed that these terms of disqualification are to be served concurrently which means Mr. Oertel’s disqualifications will expire at midnight 15 April 2015.

Pursuant to ERA 86(ii) RAZEEN (FR) and MELL DE PIBOUL (FR) were disqualified as the winner and second place getter of their respective races and the placings amended to read:

Sharjah Race 1 Sharjah Sport Council (1200metres)
1st ROCKY CS (US) (I. Koyuncu)
2nd AL ANID (FR) (T. O’Shea)
3rd DAWLAH (FR) (D. Muscutt)
4th FRENCH ATHBAH (US) (N. Garbutt)
5th ES MAYDAN (AE) (R. Ffrench)

Abu Dhabi Race 1 Yas Island Maiden (1600metres)
1st HAANOOF (FR) (P. Dobbs)
2nd MAFTOON AL REEF (AE) (R. Mullen)
3rd DAWLAH (FR) (D. Muscutt)
4th MUROOJ (GB) (D. O’Neill)
5th AL MUKAFIH (OM) (M. Monaghan)


John Zucal
ERA Chief Steward

Here he would have received a R20000 - R40000 fine, at least 50% of that suspended. This is the difference between racing authorities that are serious about cheating and our NHRA who just go through the motions.

Very surprised not many comments on this

Ibuprufen is what i use for relief for my slimy chest {i smoke too much}
How can it be a bad/banned substance?

Mutiman would be the one to answer that?

johnnycomelately wrote: Ibuprufen is what i use for relief for my slimy chest {i smoke too much}
How can it be a bad/banned substance?

I also use it fo chest and back pains :lol:

It's a painkiller and also an anti-inflammatory. You can buy it over the counter as a generic.

If the authorities say it is illegal/banned and you are caught using it ,you must be punished.I smoke ganja for my asthma and if I get caught ,I must face the music.Third offence within a year should`ve been warned off for life.Only an opinion.

the fantasy wrote: If the authorities say it is illegal/banned and you are caught using it ,you must be punished.I smoke ganja for my asthma and if I get caught ,I must face the music.Third offence within a year should`ve been warned off for life.Only an opinion.

You smoke ganja to feel "irie" :lol:

johnnycomelately wrote: Ibuprufen is what i use for relief for my slimy chest {i smoke too much}
How can it be a bad/banned substance?

I'm sure it's an anti-inflammatory

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Ibuprofen is used to reduce fever and treat pain or inflammation in most mammals caused by many conditions such as headache, toothache, back pain, arthritis, menstrual cramps, or minor injury.

Gotta feel for poor old Ernst who once on this site was very vocal against the open use of steroidal anti-inflammatory preparations being administered by many local vets. Yet ibuprofen which is fast becoming popular with treating jarred joints and is easily available OTC but still an anti-inflammatory and cannot be found pre or post race testing.

I for one am very surprised by the severe penalty for this offence as there was a time that in the Emirates that far worse intentional doping was the norm. Many a trainer were trained on the use of steroids, milkshakes and other forms of illegal medications.

Looks like the ERA authorities after certain large players from the region were caught in the UK have clamped down heavily on these practices and Ernst has been made an example of..... :huh:

All I know that in most not all cases of positives in the RSA there is a vet involved and it is a misuse of medication and the excretion has not taken place.
One top trainer told me "If I am told 72 hrs I go 96
If told 8 days I go 12
I asked Why?
Because I was caught once!!!!!