Trainer loses appeal over EPO ban

Stewards have rejected an appeal from a veteran trainer who was found guilty over synthetic EPO use.

Betsy revealed on Wednesday that South Australian horseman Darryl Carrison fronted the stewards following a long-running investigation into a positive swab returned by one of his horses.

Stewards reported on Thursday that EPO was detected in Carrison’s horse Rubikton during an out-of-competition test conducted on January 16, 2025.

Carrison pleaded guilty to a presentation charge at the inquiry but said his stables had been contaminated, a claim stewards rejected.

Originally scheduled for August, the hearing was adjourned to allow Carrison time to provide expert evidence. However, despite calling a witness, he failed to present any expert report supporting his case.

Instead, the stewards considered expert testimonies and reports from multiple authorities.

According to their report, stewards said they also relied on evidence from Carrison’s mobile phone.

A synthetic product designed to replicate the effects of naturally occurring Erythropoietin, synthetic EPO stimulates the production of red blood cells in bone marrow and regulates the concentration of red blood cells and haemoglobin in the blood.

While the standard penalty for such an offence is five years, mitigating factors including his guilty plea and personal circumstances led to a one-year reduction. Stewards also made a point of Carrison’s previous offences and said his disqualification will commence at midnight on October 14, 2025.

Carrison lodged an appeal and requested a stay of proceedings which stewards rejected on Thursday.

Carrison’s ban begins on October 14 according to stewards, but his stakes wining 4 year-old Sav On Ice has been scratched from Saturday’s Murray Bridge Gold Cup.