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Trainer Darren Smith has lost his appeal against a 15-year ban over cobalt offences.
The Newcastle horseman was disqualified by Racing NSW in March after he was found guilty of 42 cobalt-related charges.
His legal counsel had argued cobalt was not a prohibited substance because there was no threshold in place when it was administered by Smith.
But the Racing Appeals Tribunal sided with Racing NSW stewards who relied on the rule prohibiting any substance which alters the blood pattern of a horse.
Meanwhile, the vet at the centre of cobalt inquiries in NSW and Victoria has admitted he did not provide full and honest evidence to stewards.
Tom Brennan’s solicitor contacted stewards in both states earlier this week to advise them Brennan wanted to correct evidence he had given at previous cobalt inquiries.
The Flemington Equine Clinic vet has admitted to providing trainer Sam Kavanagh with two bottles of an injectable substance labelled “vitamin complex” and of disposing of an exercise book which recorded postage of the bottles.
However, he has denied knowingly administering cobalt to any racehorses.
He has agreed to stand down from providing vet services to racehorses from August 1.
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