Racing Victoria scratched two of Nick Ryan’s Derby Day runners after claiming they found two syringes containing banned substances inside the trainer’s car at Flemington.
Ryan had two runners – Doubt Time in the Coolmore Stud Stakes and Anglais in the Wakeful – that we scratched by stewards before race day on Saturday.
Racing Victoria later revealed the horses were removed following a raid on Ryan’s Flemington stables.
Betsy has contacted Ryan for comment.
Racing Victoria allege the syringes containing the banned substances were found in the glovebox of Ryan’s car.
‘’Racing Victoria Stewards today opened an inquiry following a report from Mr Rhys Melville (Racing Victoria – Manager Compliance Assurance Team) that, while conducting an inspection of trainer Mr Nick Ryan’s stables at Flemington Racecourse this morning, a prohibited substance was found in Mr Ryan’s possession,’’ the stewards’ report said.
‘’Evidence was today taken from Mr Melville, Dr Edwina Wilkes (Racing Victoria Regulatory Veterinarian) and Mr Ryan.
‘’Mr Ryan was subsequently charged with a breach of AR 250 (a) with the particulars being: That, during a stable inspection of Mr Ryan’s Flemington stables this morning (31 October 2026) by Mr Melville and the Compliance Assurance Team, Mr Ryan was found to have in his possession, in the glove box of his motor vehicle, two syringes of Darbepoetin Alfa which is a prohibited substance under Prohibited List A of the Australian Rules of Racing.
Mr Ryan reserved his plea to the charge.
Bearing in mind the serious nature of the charge, Stewards acting under the provisions of AR 23 (d), ordered the withdrawal of Anglais (Race 3), and Doubt Time (Race 6) at 12pm from their respective races at Flemington today.
The inquiry has been adjourned until Monday, 2 November 2026.
